Landsbyen -Into the North- An Epic Poem 63

Then from Dyndoeth came another question, “Now that we know the animals are capable of moving through the sky, what about the sleigh.” “Have you ever watched a hawk fly,” the King asked everyone? He did not wait for an answer, “when a hawk flies he flaps his wings to gain speed and to fly higher in the air, but he does not need to flap when he is just gliding along. He simply extends wings and rides the air. I think if we make a sleigh with a flat bottom that extends out past the side of the sleigh it will glide through the air once the deer get it off of the ground.” They all murmured agreement. “That leads us to the second problem, it should be a small sleigh for the deer to be able to get it off the ground, correct?” Dyndoeth asked. “I would think as light as possible,” Rådyrvokter agreed. “Where will we put the funeral boxes for Aisling and Erlenkönig?” “I have been thinking about that,” Joulupukki looked at each one of them with a question in his eyes, “Why can't we build a small cubicle on the back of the sleigh just big enough for me to sleep in.” He was interrupted by Lumi, “And me!” He was intent on going, too. “Just big enough for me and Lumi to sleep in and then we can use Dyndoeth's room expansion magic to make it the size of a larger room.” He looked at Dyndoeth, “Does it create more weight when you use magic to expand a room,” he asked. Dyndoeth's eyes seemed to sink into their sockets as his mind instantly processed the question and was quick to admit that he had no clue. “Let's find out, shall we?” Over the next few days they put a plan together and started working on a two man sleigh. In the rear they added a small box made from the lightest wood but strongest they could find. Just large enough for Lumi and Joulupukki to squeeze in to sleep. They had no real idea how long they would be gone so they filled the little space left with food. The next morning Joulupukki and Lumi readied themselves for the first test flight. They met with Rådyrvokter who administered the five grains to each of the four deer. “Remember, head toward the mountains and when they start to tire come back.” “Thank you for everything,” he said to Stable Elf. Joulupukki requested to exclude Sprinteren from this test, but as he saw the other deer eating the special grain the deer became very agitated; so, he exchanged Sprinteren with one of the others. He was concerned that the grain might not be good for the deer if he ate it too often. He checked with the Rådyrvokter and was re-assured by him that the Garden Elf said the magic grain would not harm him no matter how much he ate. The elf and his king seated themselves in the sleigh. After they had discussed it for a while that morning, Rådyrvokter and he decided to try four deer for the sleigh. They could adjust it later if needed. Joulupukki took the reins and called out to the deer naming each one in turn. “Up,” he said firmly and the deer started to run raising off of the ground immediately, before even clearing the stable. The sleigh slid back and forth and hung at awkward angles behind the deer as they all ran at different speeds. The deer ran and ran adjusting their speed with small movements of the reins by Joulupukki. He mostly just let them run and soon enough they found their rhythm and the ride became much smoother, the sled tracking behind the deer as if it were part of them. They flew to the mountains, skimming their peaks and gliding through the valleys. Joulupukki watched the deer closely for any signs that they were growing weary, but they seemed as fresh as when they started. They also seemed to be enjoying themselves with Sprinteren leading the way. Lumi was all smiles and giggling as well. First, amazed by the deer and then staring at the beauty that surrounded them. Joulupukki found ways to let the deer know when he wanted to go up or down by movements of his hands, in addition to their knowledge of turning right and left. They flew for hours when he started to feel that they had been gone long enough. “Lumi,” he called out to the elf over the wind. “I think it's time to head back.” “But the deer do not seem tired,” Lumi yelled to Joulupukki, then acquiesced, “You're right, let's not overdo it this first time.” Joulupukki made a wide turn and headed back to the stable reaching out with his magic to guide their way. When they arrived above the Village he saw the Stable Elf standing outside of the building drawing water. He decided to try to take the deer all the way to ground and used his new found skills to fly downward. As they began slowing and lowering their height in the sky, Rådyrvokter looked up and saw them. He made certain that the double doors on the stable were completely open and the deer flew right through them making a smooth stop inside of the barn. He entered the stable and examined the deer closely. They did not seem any more tired than they would if they had just been grazing.