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Post by DraconicChaos on Jul 3, 2015 7:16:04 GMT
Vinheart looked at the high mountains in the distance as the winds blew mildly, making her curls dance about and around her head. She suspected it would get worse eventually as only that morning the winds had been nonexistent, now she would shiver every so often from the chill it gave. Turning back around she strode to the stables she had for her large pack of Tokotas, not hanging around the Tribe Lodge for a bit as she wanted some time away and help her friend Keiya to get used to the large creatures as she was new to such things. Along with the harsh winters that the Alaskan territory had to offer.
Pushing open the stable doors and slipping in she saw her friend Keiya still glancing around at the pack of Tokotas, a bit on edge at their large size and how Bristle kept baring his teeth at her when she came near. Finally it seemed the tundra female had enough of watching Keiya try to decide, so she stood and strolled over to her, nudging Keiya's shoulder with her snout and smiling down at her with her own tail wagging.
"Well it seems Charcoal has taking a liking to you," Vinheart said with a nod towards the brunette girl. "Now hurry, put all the tack on her and get ready to be riding. A storm is coming and it is not going to be a pretty thing to be in if we don't get to the base for research on time."
Vinh then turned her attention to Nightlock who had walked up, dark purple eyes and a smile basically begging her to take him with her for once, as ever since he had been old enough to go out and doing things she hadn't given him any mind. Smiling lightly she petted his head lightly, grabbing a dark red saddle blanket and tossing it up onto his back, positioning it correctly she did the same with a saddle. While buckling it up and tightening it she went through a mental check list of what was needed for the travelling and research at the mountain. She had provisions set, a map ready with landmarks marked down in case they got lost and 2 thick mink blankets tightly rolled up and held on the back of Night's saddle.
Picking up the braces for his legs, she tied them around and checked to make sure they wouldn't slide off. Picking up a halter she slid it onto his face before tying it semi-tightly and let the reins hang until needed. She walked over to her highest ranking Tokota, Elsu, and looked at him sternly.
"You know the rules for during storms, nobody will leave the stables unless of proper ranking and attitude towards others. So they must deserve being trusted to head out," She warned the brown male, gently stroking his head. "If we do not return by the time I told you we would, come find us, bring the whole pack. Warn the others in the Tribe if you have to, as some may also go into the mountains and get caught in some kind of trouble."
Elsu just bowed his head slightly in understanding. With that, Vinh turned and went back over to Nightlock, placing her left foot in a stirrup and bouncing up onto the saddle, fixing the reins to be correctly placed as she made the young black Tokota turn to face the exit of the Stables. She kicked his sides lightly and headed outside, calling over her shoulder towards Keiya.
"Hurry and meet me outside so we may get going." |
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Post by kitkatsweg101 on Jul 3, 2015 7:58:00 GMT
Keiya looked around in wonder, slightly nervous by the large animals she was rather cold from not being used to the cold. She looked at the pack of tokos, taking a step near Bristles and yelping slightly when he bared his teeth, when a tundra female walked up to her and nudged her while smiling, Kei smiled at the toko.
When Vinh spoke it caught Kei off guard slightly, she nodded at her order, she pet Charcoal slightly nervous in case she would get mad. She giggled as Char licked her cheek, tail wagging. Kei then grabbed a saddle blanket she tried to copy what Vinh had done to get the saddle on. Once she finally got it on she put her right foot in a stirrup and got on the saddle,she looked down at Charcoal then lightly kicked her side as Vinh as done and followed after her.
She looked at Vinh, waiting for her to respond. Kei yelped slightly as hair got in her face, she quickly moved it aside so she could see properly. She pet Charcoal's head again. "Are we ready to go now?" Kei asked, excitement in her words. This was her first time doing this and she was excited to try a new thing.
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Post by DraconicChaos on Jul 3, 2015 8:30:12 GMT
Vinheart glanced over to Kei as she came out with Charcoal, the wind had become harsh by now, and the temperature seemed to have dropped by quite a bit to where little flecks of snow were coming down.
"It isn't supposed to be snowing this time of year...it's too far into spring," She mumbled under her breath before straightening up and heading forward with Nightlock. "We need to hurry, rush as much as we can. We are going to get caught in the snow storm regardless, but fi we get a fast start now we will hopefully make it to the base before it gets deadly."
She flicked the reins and kicked Night on the sides. Taking off at a lope, though he slowly was making his way into a run, going for a full on sprint as they went on. She could hear Charcoal catching up quickly, as the female was more used to such weather and well understanding of how to get through it easily. Vinheart sent a glance back at Kei with a grin, her brown locks flowing about her face making it hard to see her friend only a few feet behind.
"Having fun Keiya?" She called back with a laugh.
Looking back ahead she felt the winds tearing past her face from Nightlock's speed and the wind's speed. She could hardly see the mountains now, only realizing where they were when she glanced up and saw them no more than a few yards away already. Nightlock slowed as they made it to the path that led up the mountain, though it was quickly being layered with snow that was already sticking. The wind chill was getting worse now, the snow becoming thick in the air as it fell. A white blanket slowly getting thicker, making it harder to see.
Continuing upwards, the hurried quickly. A lope was a bad idea, with going uphill and the possibility of slipping on wet snow or something was not something Vinheart found like a good idea to have on a mountain. The clouds above were thick, though not dark so it was fairly light outside, though the clouds also blocked most sunlight from coming down, allowing no heat to reach them properly.
She found it silly how so many bad things can happen when she wanted to do things, such as when Aroro turned hostile towards his family only just a little while back. Or how when she wanted to go out exploring for once and ended up nearly drowning after a surprise from a Caribou made Hamaro buck her off into a river of nothing but rapids basically and take off running, leaving her to try and stay above water until she reached a calm area and got out. Now it was a complete beginning of a blizzard while on the side of a mountain, already plenty of yards up and one slip with a fall would mean death to anyone who happened to have such bad luck.
Upon reaching an overhang, she motioned for Keiya and Charcoal to say back, looking off into the distance and up the mountain to try and find any sign of the base. She spotted the flicker, some light that lit up an area of the base. It was on the neighboring mountain, not too far away, though it meant finding a way across or going back down and going around the mountain they were on. She spotted a dark entry way, a cave just a little ways up/
Thinking back to looking at cave systems of the area she remembered that all intertwined in different ways, and she had her map for it. Getting out fo the wind and snow would make it easier to find their way to the other mountain.
"C'mon, we need to find shelter in the cave above!" She practically yelled to Kei over the winds, Nightlock took off at a trot, wishing to get out of the harsh winds as soon as he could for safety.
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Post by kitkatsweg101 on Jul 3, 2015 8:57:37 GMT
"This may turn out bad...?" Kei wondered, when she said it wasn't suppose to snow this far in spring. She nodded slightly when Vinh said to hurry, she shivered at the cold, she copied Vinh as she flicked the reins and kicked Char's sides,
She scrunched her eyes slightly as they made their way through the falling snow. Kei looked at Vinh when she smiled at her, "besides the fact that it's super cold yeah!" She replied, giggling. The winds whipped at her face making it harder to keep her eyes open as she followed Vinh and Nightlock. She looked down at Char, happy that at least the tokota could make her way in the cold. Kei's teeth were chattering from the cold, she always seemed to get cold easier than most, her hands and face stung slightly from the cold.
Char kept following, slowing when Nightlock slowed to make sure she wouldn't run into him.
Kei was slightly afraid that something worse would happen as they continued on, the winds whipped her hair in her face, making it harder to see. 'I should've put it up...' She thought.
As they reached the over hand Kei nodded as Vinh motioned for them to stay back. Kei's teeth were chattering loudly now she looked down at Char who seemed calm.
She looked up, startled, by Vinh's sudden yell and she nearly fell off Charcoal, quickly regaining her balance, she noticed Char had started trotting after Vinh and Nightlock. Her hair kept blowing into her face and she found it impossible to see through the snow and her hair. She hoped Char could still see...
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Post by DraconicChaos on Jul 3, 2015 15:34:28 GMT
Following along the trail Vinheart finally spotted the cave just ahead, stopping Nightlock she slipped off and hurried forward by foot into the cave. She entered farther into the cave, just out of the wind's reach before she turned back to Nightlock and motioned him over along with Charcoal to bring Keiya farther inside out of the cold wind and snow's reach.
Opening up one of the bag's attached to the saddle she brought out a piece of paper rolled up like a scroll, unfolding it she looked over it quickly before looking over to her friend with minor worry in her eyes. She knew Keiya could get colder than most, and realized quickly that she should have thought of it earlier when the harsh winds and snow began to really come down on their heads. Opening a larger saddle bag she pulled out a fur lined cloak, bringing it over to her and handing it off.
"Put this on while we're in here, you'll get warm quickly," She advised before walking back over to Night as she examined the map.
Holding it in one hand she climbed back onto the saddle, looking at the map fully again as she lightly kicked Night, the black furred male continuing onward at a slight trot.
"By the map there will be a place where the cave will split off two ways, we will be going through the left one and it will lead us back upwards, as this cave will bring us downwards, farther into the mountain. Upon getting outside," she paused, rolling the cave map back up and pulling out another map of outside, "we will be on a very thin layer of rock that connects the mountains. It has been said it creaks under weight, but it has held Dires that live within the area, as we are to be researching and observing."
As the areas got darker, it also began to get colder. Not as bad as outside with the winds and snow causing horrible stings of the cold, but a lingering feeling, like being watched and not being able to find the source of it. Night completely blended in with the dark shadows of the cave, practically invisible as Vinheart was, dressed in a short cape of silver and black fur, thick dark grey boots, dark grey pants and a black long sleeved dress-like outfit that was lined inside with fur and had a hood. Her dark colored hair also matched well, as no light would make the blonde highlights gleam to show where she was.
"You do remember why we were coming out here, right? It would be bad to be following me and not know of where we were off to," Vinh asked, though it seemed more like she was a disembodied voice among the shadows rather than being someone just riding a few feet ahead of Kei. "Just a warning, the Dires out here can be quite bad if they want. Do not trust them too much, I heard the tundra Sphinx can be quite the trickster with trust."
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Post by kitkatsweg101 on Jul 3, 2015 16:13:50 GMT
Kei smiled slightly as they entered the cave, she was finally able to move the hair out of her face. She gratefully took the cloak and put it on, "Th-thanks," She looked at Char who nuzzled her. Keiya pet the tokota, smiling, she was warming up again. She listened quietly as Vinh spoke.
As it got colder Kei pulled the cloak tighter, she looked at the hard to see girl and her tokota, because of her lighter colored outfit she was slightly more visible. Her hands still stung slightly but she had grown slightly used to it as she continued following Vinh, Char looked around every so often as they began to go through the left tunnel. 'It's like when I couldn't see through my hair only this is better' She thought to herself, giggling quietly.
She noticed they were going upwards now and she could hear the wind rushing past the exit of the tunnel, as they were about to emerged she noticed a Rider with a toko and she looked at Vinh, "Vinh... i think someone's out there...!" Kei mumbled. She didn't know if it would be bad or good, she waited for Vinh to respond to her.
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Post by Mimmiley on Jul 3, 2015 16:31:52 GMT
Katja was double checking her large seal leather bag before getting back on her large brown tokota. She pulled down her thick scarf and pushed back her hood. She just sat back on the big male as she was looking at the storm. " We got a big one this time Lusin! Ever bigger than last time we came! Increnible, isin't it?" The tokota responded with a short low toned howl of approval. " I can't see a thing, good thing I brought my goggles!" she laughed. She picked up a treat from her pocket to give it to Lusin, but she realized that they were all gone! *That's odd* she thought to herself. She got off the tokota again and looked in an other bag that was hung from the saddle of the animal. *Ah ha! Found it!* She smiled down at the treats and rewarded her friend. As she was about to get back on, she looked back and saw two pair of eyes in the dark. Lusing, confused, looked back and understood why she did not get back on the saddle. Unsure of what was ahead, Lusin turned back to face the possible danger and started to show his teeth, making sure that they knew he would not let anything happen to her handler. Yet, it did not took long for him to stop and just start wagging his tail and barking. " What is it Lusin? You dum dum... " She tried to look again, but it was very dark. "Hello?" she said.
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Post by DraconicChaos on Jul 3, 2015 16:49:51 GMT
Vinheart squinted her eyes at the exit of the cave, also spotting the figures of a Tokota and their Handler. Upon getting closer and hearing the other Toktoa growling from outside, Vinheart recognized who it was.
"Hey Katja!" She greeted, Nightlock walking out of the dark, being mindful of the brown male growling at him as he walked out. "I didn't know you were also out here."
She had not expected to bump into Tribe mates all the way out here, rather being fine with just knowing they were also out here rather than travelling around with them. But she found it to be a good thing now, as Kei needed to get to know at least some others in the Tribe before Vinheart introduced her as a new member.
"It is quite the coincidence and pleasure to see you out here, despite the current weather conditions," Vinheart laughed lightly, motioning to her friend Keiya before introducing them. "Katja, this is my friend Keiya, she will be joining the Tribe eventually after she gets settled down with how thing work around here and she acquires some Tokotas of her own."
She moved Nightlock to the side slightly, allowing Charcoal to walk up with Kei for more proper introduction from her rather than from Vinheart's quick introduction to each other. Quickly she looked down at her map of the outside once more, glancing around and getting an idea of where to be heading next she rolled her maps back up, putting them back in the saddle bag and clipping it shut.
The wind was much harsher higher up, while it had been only tad calmer before entering the caves, Vinheart could tell it was getting worse. Being in such an area and not at the base was a very bad idea. With very little path to be seen now, and the thick snow flying by made it hard to tell where the thin rock bridge was to the area below it.
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Nightlock looked to Lusin, not necessarily knowing the male personally though he knew him from the tribe in a way. Deciding to be polite and greet the other male he spoke.
"Hello," He said with a nod before giving a light smile. "What is up with Handlers and their idea of leaving to go out during the worst weather? Is there something about danger that gives them such curiosity in it?"
He was unsure on what kind of question he had just asked, but he kept quiet after that. Looking to Charcoal instead, as the female was an older pack member and more familiar with talking to others, while he himself did not enjoy talking much or the presence of other Tokotas, he was not one to be impolite and ignore others when he could be friendly.
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Post by kitkatsweg101 on Jul 3, 2015 17:29:46 GMT
Kei looked slightly surprised when the handler and the tokota and Vinh knew each other, she waved at the two. "Hello~!" She smiled at Katja. her hair fell in her face again and she brushed it away, "...I hope this storm doesn't get too bad..." She frowned, she then shivered from the thought.
She looked slightly worried after saying that. Her hair kept getting in her face, making it hard to see once again. The cold nipped at her face and hands once again, her hands tightening around the reigns of Char's saddle, "it's c-cold..." she mumbled.
She could see her breath in front of her slightly as it condensated in front of her, she squinted hardly able to see anything. She kept trying to move her hair out of the way, "this is why I should put my hair up most the time." She grumbled, shaking her head rapidly to get her hair out of her face, she sighed in defeat as the hair kept getting in her face no matter how many times she swept it out of the way
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Post by mimmiley on Jul 3, 2015 18:11:21 GMT
Katja walked up to Keiya. « Hi Keiya, nice to meet you! I hope to see you around the tribe grounds more! Also, do not mind Lusin, he is protective, that’s all! » she told her. She looked at the new member. « You did not expect such a bad weather did you? » She laughed softly as she looked at the shivering girl. « Poor you! Good thing I expected that someone would have done so! Let me go fetch you a warm coat and goggles! It will help you see and not get your hair all over the place! » She said nicely as she detached the large bag from the tokota’s saddle. She took a few things out from the bag until she found what she was looking for. « It should fit you just fine, you can keep it after the exploration, I do not mind, it looks like you could need it. » She got up and gave the heavy coat to her. « It is some seal leather and bear fur, you should be just fine! As for the goggles, they are plain sky goggles, but I am sure you could use them! » She looked back at her bag « I hope that the storm calms down too, but in the meantime, anyone up for something to eat and a hot chocolate? » she asked.
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Lusin looked at the two other tokotas, happy to see some tribe members. « Hi! » he barked back at Nightlock. « I have no idea, but I think it is better that they go with us than alone! I have to say that my handler is used to that kind of weather, it is not the first time we get caught up in a storm like that! When I had to do my rites, we were in a similar situation, the biggest difference are the wild tokotas… I do not like that there are some dires roaming loose, I may be large, but I can’t fight it off and get away with her… » He looked back at Katja, a bit worried.
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Post by DraconicChaos on Jul 4, 2015 3:50:48 GMT
Vinheart was glad Katja greeted Keiya in such a friendly fashion, but upon the hearing of possibly stopping the journey to the base she spoke up quickly.
"I do not mean offense Katja, but the base is just a little ways up the next mountain. The storm is getting worse by the minute, I do not believe a stop for hot chocolate and food is such a good idea in such weather, as getting to the base is better than staying in a cave that the Dires could possibly go through," She denied politely. "Perhaps upon reaching the base we can all use a bit of warming up after being out here for so long."
She could feel the snow getting heavy in her hair, as the wind made it swing about in the wind, she did not care for it doing so. With the snow collecting thickly on the Tokotas' fur, she was afraid they'd feel heavy and have to slow to just carry themselves along. Now was not the time for slowing down, not yet anyways. As the storm showed no sign of letting up soon, so she did not wish for them to stop and end up still away from base when the worse hit them.
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"I have only been caught in a storm of rain, rather than snow. Much different, the snow catches and makes you feel heavy," Night commented. "The Dires roaming about shouldn't be too much of a worry, as long as we don't get too close to them. Until them it would be a good idea to not think about them. As the travelling is more the danger at the moment, I believe even Dires would be finding shelter from this storm."
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"There is a thin bridge of rock that connects the mountains, if we hurry we can make it to the base without being out here for much longer. I spotted it before we first entered the caves, there are people every once and awhile waiting outside to find anyone still coming in," Vinheart said. "This is a lot like the sled races, getting from check point to checkpoint in some of the worst weather possible."
She chuckled slightly, not believing she had made such a connection, being up on a mountain was much different from sled racing. Dangers of falling into frozen lakes and rivers seemed like a much better idea than up on a moment as of that moment, and she did not like that fact.
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Post by kitkatsweg101 on Jul 4, 2015 17:23:14 GMT
Kei smiled at Katja, "I hope I see you around more too~!" She said, "and no I did not expect this bad weather, i've never been used to the cold," she giggled slightly.
When she received the coat and goggles she put them on, "th-thank you..." When Katja brought up the subject of food and hot chocolate, and Vinh immediately said no, Kat wouldn't argue, she wouldn't of said no to food though. She understood they had to keep going.
She pet Charcoal's head, "you're doing great Char," she said quietly to the tokota. Kei looked up, able to see a little bit. Her hands still stung slightly but it wasn't much.
She nodded when Vinh spoke about the bridge and getting to the base soon. But Kei never seen a sled race, since she was really new, so didn't really know what that comparison was about.
She shrugged, hoping nothing bad would happen
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Post by mimmiley on Jul 9, 2015 18:48:25 GMT
(sorry for the late reply!)
Katja looked up, thinking, and looked back at Vinh.
« All right! We can catch up on that proposition over there, that’s for sure! » She said nicely. « Lusin, get here boy! »
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Lusin was impressed.
« You got caught in that rain storm too? wow, how did I not know about that! »
He wagged his tail, happy to make friends and talk to other tokotas.
« And I agree on that one, the dires are still intelligent enough not to get out at a time like that! »
—
The large animal turned his head around as soon as he heard his name and left the two other of his kind to find his beloved master. He arrived up to her giving her a nose poke on the face. « I love you too boy! Now let’s get back on the road, shall we? »
Katja was very excited from all of the action, and she was glad to see her friends. It was going to be an even better exploration than she thought.
She verified and secured the saddle and equipment that was on the large male and hopped on the saddle.
« I had no idea there was a base up here, I normally travel with my tent, it is good to know now! You lead the way Vinheart? » She asked as she pulled her hood back up, hiding her hair again. The young scientist was ready to follow them and only waited to go.
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Post by DraconicChaos on Jul 9, 2015 20:30:29 GMT
Vinheart listened carefully when Katja was talking, as the wind and snow made it hard to hear though she tried anyways. She only nodded her head when Katja got back on Lusin, guiding Nightlock with the reins now since it was hard to see the outline of the rock ledge they would be using as a bridge to get across to the other mountain. Carefully Nightlock made his way forward, slowly but surely, being careful and weary on where he was placing each paw as he walked across the thin layer of rock used as a bridge.
The thickness of the snow made it impossible to see how high up they were, which was a bit of relief though also unnerving at the possibility of being hundreds of feet possibly and not knowing it because he would be able to see the ground due to the snow. Vinheart held tightly to the reins, stiff posture and constantly glancing around she urged him to go faster, the sound of the rock crumbling slightly below them not a very comforting sound with the snow and wind and the mystery of the height they were at.
The other side of the bridge was finally visible a few feet ahead, though barely, Nightlock picked up his pace and finally made it off. He could fel Vinheart relax in relief of making it over, though now she was watching Katja and Keiya come across while the rocks continued to crumble underneath the platform.
"C'mon, hurry if you can, the rock bridge doesn't seem to be holding weight well in the storm!" She called out, hoping to get them to urge their Tokotas faster.
The crumbling was not a good sign, especially in the storm when they were supposed to be using it was access between the two mountains along with other travelers. If it collapsed it would mean the deaths or sever injuries to a rider and their Tokota, or perhaps even one of the Dires would go missing and the bridge would be a possibility of being the cause of it. By then it would be too late to save the Dire, or the travelling pair if news did not travel that they were coming and did not arrive.
Nightlock himself was shifting his weight anxiously, hoping his pack mate Charcoal and Tribe mate Lusin made it across safely with their riders. The rocks sounded to be crumbling faster, and a faint crack was audible from farther back as he could hear multiple rocks collapsing and falling down.
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Post by mimmiley on Jul 28, 2015 14:57:09 GMT
Lusin looked as Nightlock crossed the bridge. Hearing the rocks crack, he became very anxious, not wanting to but his master into a dangerous situation. Katja was not scared, the bridge had been there for a while, she knew a few more tokotas would not make it crumble now! Her daring and bold personality pushed her to do it without hesitation.
« Let’s go Lusin, we can do it! »
The male toccata would not move an inch, looking furious and decided not to cross the bridge. Katja told Kei to go ahead, she would try to make him move, but they could not lose any more time. As Charcoal crossed the crumbling bridge, Lusin, looked even more panicked. Katja got off her saddle and went in front of him. She looked straight in his sky blue eyes and told him as he looked back with his caring look: « It is all going to be all right, just follow me… »
She started to back up on foot and went to the bridge. Her tribe mates looked a bit worried that she started to walk the bridge instead of crossing it on her tokota. Lusin would make small steps toward her, making some anxious noises, but his fear of having his handler hurt pushed him to cross along with her. Katja turned back to praise the tokota, but slipped on black ice. The heart of lusin stopped for a second, everything was going in slow motion for him. Under the adrenaline, he rushed to her and grabbed her coat just in time. He was near the edge, trying his best to keep balance.
« PULL BACK! PULL BACK! » Katja almost screamed.
Lusin finally snapped out of it and pulled his master back to safety. She quickly went back on his saddle and he trotted to the end. Just as he was about to arrive, the bridge started to fall appart. Seeing that it was his only option, he started to run as fast as he could, still careful of where he put his paws. At the edge, he jumped as far as he could. Katja and Lusin could feel their heart pounding in their chest, not knowing if they were even going to make it. Katja closed her eyes and grabbed Lusin. Lusin was very scared they would not make it, but in the end, they crash landed on the snow, near the two other travellers.
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