05-26-2017, 09:48 PM
Hoping to avoid the wolfpack he discovered earlier, Odin took a slightly different route back to the Nexus Gate. He smelled the bog before he stumbled upon it. When it finally came into view, the ground was already becoming soft under Sleipnir’s hooves. Looking right and left showed that going around was going to take an unknowable amount of time. He couldn’t even tell which direction would be more likely to see the end of the swamp. With a sigh, Odin slowly guided Sleipnir forward onto a patch that looked like it could hold their weight.
After an hour, Odin saw the forest beginning to return to normal in the distance. The creak of a branch caused him to snap his head around. Something big was moving around in the trees above them. It had appeared to be a cross between a big cat and a monkey. He had clearly seen its feet grabbing the branches, but it had long claws as well. Two large canines, like daggers, protruded from its mouth and a prehensile tail helped keep it balanced. The thing had nearly been the size of a horse.
Odin's eyes scanned the trees above him as he urged Sleipnir forward. They didn't make it more than a few feet before his mount slipped. Luckily, all those extra legs kept it from falling and throwing Odin into the foul water. The All-Father jumped down onto a small island and returned his mount to omnilium. He had lost track of the creature in the excitement. Fortunately, it didn't take him long to find it again. It was trying to stay about 15 feet behind him. Two seconds would be all it needed to bound forward and get its jaws around his neck.
Escape wouldn't work because he couldn't move quickly and one slip would be the end of him. Fighting would be difficult as well. The thing could move quickly and easily through the branches and would just avoid him until he was worn out. Waiting was a losing prospect too. The cover of darkness would just make it harder to keep track of. Getting an idea, Odin made sure the creature was in front of him and started summoning some things.
A few minutes later, Odin laid the large basket and rope aside. Then he took the net and cast it out into where the water looked particularly deep. When he pulled it in, it was full of eels, fish, frogs, and other slimy creatures. He opened the basket's lid, dumped everything in, and snapped it shut again. Then he adjusted to make sure the monster was still in front of him and cast out the net back out. It took the better part of an hour, but he managed to fill the container with a writhing mass of animals. Then he tied the rope to the basket's handles and threw one end over a sturdy branch. He hoisted it up and tied the rope off. Slowly he backed away and put distance between himself and his offering.
It didn't take to long for the creature to approach the basket. Odin could see the basket sway as the weight of something heavy lowered itself onto the branch it hung from. Then suddenly, a giant, clawed hand reached down and pulled up the gift. Odin took the opportunity to summon Sleipnir again and cover some ground as quickly as possible.
The next day, Odin came across an open area that appeared to have suffered a recent forest fire. On the edge of the clearing, a woman was crouched down a few tree sprouts maybe 6 inches high. She was shaking her head in clear disappointment. Figuring this was who he was looking for, Odin prodded Sleipnir toward her.
After an hour, Odin saw the forest beginning to return to normal in the distance. The creak of a branch caused him to snap his head around. Something big was moving around in the trees above them. It had appeared to be a cross between a big cat and a monkey. He had clearly seen its feet grabbing the branches, but it had long claws as well. Two large canines, like daggers, protruded from its mouth and a prehensile tail helped keep it balanced. The thing had nearly been the size of a horse.
Odin's eyes scanned the trees above him as he urged Sleipnir forward. They didn't make it more than a few feet before his mount slipped. Luckily, all those extra legs kept it from falling and throwing Odin into the foul water. The All-Father jumped down onto a small island and returned his mount to omnilium. He had lost track of the creature in the excitement. Fortunately, it didn't take him long to find it again. It was trying to stay about 15 feet behind him. Two seconds would be all it needed to bound forward and get its jaws around his neck.
Escape wouldn't work because he couldn't move quickly and one slip would be the end of him. Fighting would be difficult as well. The thing could move quickly and easily through the branches and would just avoid him until he was worn out. Waiting was a losing prospect too. The cover of darkness would just make it harder to keep track of. Getting an idea, Odin made sure the creature was in front of him and started summoning some things.
A few minutes later, Odin laid the large basket and rope aside. Then he took the net and cast it out into where the water looked particularly deep. When he pulled it in, it was full of eels, fish, frogs, and other slimy creatures. He opened the basket's lid, dumped everything in, and snapped it shut again. Then he adjusted to make sure the monster was still in front of him and cast out the net back out. It took the better part of an hour, but he managed to fill the container with a writhing mass of animals. Then he tied the rope to the basket's handles and threw one end over a sturdy branch. He hoisted it up and tied the rope off. Slowly he backed away and put distance between himself and his offering.
It didn't take to long for the creature to approach the basket. Odin could see the basket sway as the weight of something heavy lowered itself onto the branch it hung from. Then suddenly, a giant, clawed hand reached down and pulled up the gift. Odin took the opportunity to summon Sleipnir again and cover some ground as quickly as possible.
The next day, Odin came across an open area that appeared to have suffered a recent forest fire. On the edge of the clearing, a woman was crouched down a few tree sprouts maybe 6 inches high. She was shaking her head in clear disappointment. Figuring this was who he was looking for, Odin prodded Sleipnir toward her.