Ben and Lucy: The Sunken Kingdom
Chapter 13 Sledding

Then the group was off. Slowly at first as Ben and Lucy got used to the skis and Max got his feet under the sled. Soon the slope’s downward angle increased. The wind began to howl past them and the sled and the two skiers increased in speed. Ben’s heart began to pump faster. Lucy’s eyes widen and her grip on the ski poles tightened. Luckily the backpacks had also provided goggles for the twins. Growler had laughed at first but now he wish he had some as well. The frosty air chilled his face. The bite of the cold air made his cheeks hurt. Growler yelled at Max to speed up. There was no way to slow down. Soon Max would need to jump on the sled as well.

Ben and Lucy were barely able to keep their balance. They skied some back home but only on a few vacation trips to Colorado, nothing was like this. Lucy was terrified, Ben was exhilarated. The skis had a magic of their own as well. Soon the twins were flying down the slopes as the skis were leading them. They were along for the ride while the skis carried them down the slopes further into the valley.

As the group made their way down the mountain slope, the light began to disappear. The air got even colder and the mood was permeated with dread. Mist covered the land. The temperature began to bite through their clothes.

The slope began to level off. Their velocity grew slowly. Ben and Lucy relaxed as they slowed down to join Max and the sled. The twins could not believe that Max had gone so fast. As the sled came to a stop. They all gathered in a clearing.

“Ok, everyone alright?” asked Growler looking over Ben and Lucy.

“Yeah, we are ok. Can we rest here a bit?”

“Ok, just a little bit. This is not a safe place.”

“You have been saying that since we began down the hill, but there has been nothing. What are you talking about?” questioned Ben.

Growler snapped back around and glared down at the boy.

“Don’t let your guard down! There are things here that will rip you apart.”

“Growler! Don’t scare him.” Mattie added.

“Scare him! I could tell you all stories that would terrify you if I wished.” Growler was beginning to get angry. Matilde knew this was not like her husband. He was always confident, so there must be real danger here. She did not however want the kids to be frightened too much.

“What is it?” Lucy asked Max.

Max was preoccupied with something in the air. The huge dog was sniffing with his ears perked up. Ben and Lucy could feel the tension. They knew that soon that would need to get out of this place. Growler began to guide the sled slowly ahead. He motioned everyone to move slowly and stop all talking, his powerful finger pressed against his clenched lips. No one dared to make a sound. As soon as Growler had moved the sled to the edge of the slope he motioned Max to jump in. No time to pull, the gang was about to go faster than what Max could pull.

The path Growler led them to was about to descend further. This time the slope looked even steeper than before. Ben and Lucy knew they had gone fast but now they sensed that this was only the beginning.

Growler leaned over toward Ben and Lucy. He whispered quietly to both.

“When I give the signal, we must all move at once and as quickly as we can down the hill. If anyone lags behind we will not be able to get you.” He looked at Ben and then Lucy square in the eyes. His point was made.

“Get ready” he continued whispering.

“NOW!” Growler pushed both Ben and Lucy forward on their skis. He turned and pushed with all his might. The huge sled sprang onto the slope. Max was now huddled along with Mattie in the sled. The slope was steeped enough without him. The path fell down in front of them. Ben and Lucy gasped at the sight. Almost a pure drop off. There was no way to stop. Lucy closed her eyes and allowed the skis to take over. Ben kept his eyes open, slightly.

“Don’t look back!”yelled Growler.

Suddenly there was a huge roar. The trees behind them crashed. Lucy focused on the slope ahead of her. Ben stole a glance back. He almost crashed. A huge white blur was bounding out of the trees. A huge cat, much bigger than any tiger in the zoos back home. Ben could not look back any longer. His speed was increasing quickly. The trees beside them flew past them like lightning. Everything was a blur.

“Move! Faster!” yelled Growler.

The trees around them started to fall. The crashing of the trees thundered throughout the valley. Lucy screamed. The trees were coming at them faster and faster their speed was now faster than they had ever done down any ski-slope. Ben’s knees began to ache. He was bouncing over the small bumps. A couple of times he flew off the ground. He flew over downed trees and huge boulders. Lucy screamed again. Ben looked ahead to see Lucy flying through the air ahead of him. Before he could prepare himself he leapt across a divide. He could see deep into the crevasse as he fell over the gaping hole beneath him. He could hear Growler’s sled make each jump as well.

Lucy was petrified. Unconsciously she skied. She was not in control, but the skis were. She let herself go. Somehow she trusted the skis. They seemed to have a mind of their own. Quickly she made turn after turn. Every time she jumped, she let out a scream. Lucy made a final jump high over the ground she went. Space and only whistling air. She landed hard yet smoothly. The slope leveled back off. She was slowing down. Finally she came to a stop. When she did she immediately fell on her back and began sobbing.

Ben had witnessed the last jump but he also saw the distance of it. He was not sure he would make it. He bared down and prepared himself. As he took off he suddenly realized that he was not going to make the full jump. His trajectory was not as high as Lucy’s had been. He prepared himself for the impact. Too quickly the rock face stopped his path. He slammed into the hard snow covered mountain. Backward he fell, now he was falling down the abyss. How could he survive the fall? Was he not lucky? Why had the skis failed him? Down he fell, silent through the air. The pain hit and then suddenly darkness.

Growler had seen the boy not make the jump but he could not stop. The sled had to gain more speed to make the jump. As the front of the sled began the jump he leaned forward trying to add momentum to the projectile. The sled flew off the ground across the abyss. Landing on the other side with only an inch of room to spare. He turned the sled quickly to avoid hitting Lucy who was still lying on the ground. She had no idea that her brother had fallen.

After Growler had the sled under control and stopped, he jumped off and ran to Lucy. She remained down in the snow. He scooped her up as a tiny bird. Gently he pushed back her hair. She looked up into his eyes. His relief was reflected in his huge smile. Lucy returned the smile and drifted back asleep. Quickly Growler laid her down on the blanket that Max had dragged off of the sled. Matilde looked on with concern.

“Is she ok?”

“I believe she will be, she needs a little rest.” Growler replied trying to comfort his wife.

“Did she see the fall?”

“No, I don’t think so. Keep an eye on her. I am going to go back and see if I can see anything.”

Growler ran over to the cliff where Ben had fallen, along with Max the two scanned the deep drop below. Max began to sniff. Nothing to be seen nor smelled. The two exchange glances, both knowing that the chances of making the fall and surviving were slim.

“Max. Do you see anything?”

Max barked.

“Neither do I.” Growler replied. “Neither do I”. Growler turned his head shaking.

Max barked again, Growler did not understand.

“I will go search for him and catch back up with you all later.”

Max turned and dashed down the hill.

“Max! Max!, Come back here!” cried Growler, but to no use. Max was already out of range and on his way down the steep cliff. The path was not easy for Max. At first the path was easier but then the incline got steeper. Max would not stop. His canine instincts kicked in.

Growler dropped his head and returned back to the sled.

“Max has gone after the boy. We can’t wait here too long.”

“I know dear, he will replace his way back to us. Max is a good boy.” Matilde said calmly.

“Mattie, I know, but what are we to tell Lucy?” Growler looked down on his surrogate daughter. His feelings swelled and tears began to well up in his dark blue eyes. Growler and Matilde had tried to have children but nothing ever happened. They had both realized that none would come their way. Now Growler looked down on this small girl and wondered if this is what was to be. He would take care of her as if she were his own. So gentle and peaceful she now slept. He did not want to tell her about her brother. Growler felt horrible. Had he pushed them too much? No. He had heard the tiger behind them, if they had stayed would have had one one them at least. Growler knew that even he and Max could not fight off the White Tiger.

“Growler, place the child in my lap. I will hold her for the rest of the journey. Since all is down hill Max will not be needed.”

“You are right dear, we must get going. You know those he will never give up. It will take him sometime to get across the last jump but soon he will continue. We must get down the hill and past the river.” Growler placed Lucy into Matilde’s lap. His wife then covered Lucy with her blanket and cradled the small child in her arms.

“Ok, we are ready.” Matilde spoke to Growler.

“Hang on.” Growler then stepped back to gain speed and ran toward the sled. He pushed the sled forward, running after it like a bobsled, as the sled gained speed he finally jumped onto the back. Soon the massive sled was gaining speed down the hill. Growler directed the sled down the hill, gaining speed every foot. Soon the trees were flying past the sled. Growler grasped the sled tightly in his strong hands. Soon even he was not in control of the sled. The sled was somehow making turns on its own through the trees and rocks along the way. Growler was realizing that some magic was in this sled. It began to run so smooth he could barely feel the snow beneath it. He look down and was amazed to see that the sled was actually gliding a few inches above the ground. He stole a look back at Lucy. Where did she come from? Could she really be part of the ancient stories? How could this little girl save their world? He would protect her with his life.