The Path Before Us (A Tanthamore Advent Calendar Story)

by jaded_maven

Summary:

Jade competes in the annual Death Dogs sled race on a cold and treacherous night, but will she win the prize at the end?

Notes:

A chapter of exactly a hundred words will be posted each day in December, ending on Christmas Day, because who doesn't love an advent calendar!

Happy Holidays, y'all!

Chapter 1: December 1

“Jade, wake up!” Kit urges again. It’s so early that the sky is still black when Jade lazily opens one eye.

“No, it’s cold,” she mumbles, bringing the heavy down-filled covers over her head.

“It’s officially winter solstice!” Kit says, excitedly.

“One more hour," Jade pleads.

Kit stands on atop their bed, feet on either side of Jade.

Concerned, Jade peeks her eyes over the covers at Kit, "Wait, do you have more royal duties or somethi-”

Jade's body is jostled as Kit vigoriously jumps up and down.

“Aaaah ah Kiiiiit!” Jade yelps as her body is tossed around helplessly.

Chapter 2: December 2

“Up and at ‘em! It’s your favourite day!” Kit kneels, lowering herself so she’s straddling Jade’s hips.

“Half an hour?” Jade huffs.

“No deal.” Kit holds firm.

Jade takes in her spirited albeit slightly annoying girlfriend. Hair ruffled, grinning with a glint of candlelight in her piercing blue eyes.

“I’m awake! But I’m not leaving this bed yet." Jade arches an eyebrow. "I’m sure there’s a way we can pass the time,” she insinuates.

“That would count as being up and at ‘em,” Kit confirms.

Jade wraps Kit up in her arms, flipping her onto her back. Kit squeals gleefully.

Chapter 3: December 3

“Jade!” Kit sprints around the corner as Jade does up her heavy, fur-lined cloak. "Your moon necklace! Scorpia would kill you if she found out you'd forgotten it. You’ll need the moon’s guidance tonight.”

“Oh!” Jade pats the empty spot on her chest where her half of a sun-moon necklace hangs. “Thanks, luv!” 

Kit puts it around Jade's neck, then tucks it inside her cloak, her hand pressing over Jade's heart.

Relieved, Jade asks, “What would I do without you?”

Kit shrugs. “Lose, probably.” 

Jade laughs. “Not probably. Definitely.” She kisses Kit, light and quick. “See you at the race!”

Chapter 4: December 4

A chill runs under Jade’s cloak. The wind has picked up overnight. The conditions for today’s race are supposed to be more brutal than the last several years. High winds, low temperatures, lots of snow. It will be a true test of her skills. 

She unpacks a fur hide from her bag, wrapping it around her shoulders, along with specially made fur-lined boots for her dogs. In these temperatures, she needs to make sure both her and her dogs are protected. 

Jade licks her lips, then whistles. The high-pitched sound calls her pack. Six Death Dogs storm through the stables.

Chapter 5: December 5

Jade hates that people still call them Death Dogs. 

Since Elora became Empress by defeating the Wyrm, the ugh...Death Dogs have become mostly harmless. Their once septic bites no longer cause lethal infections. Their ferocity has dulled to that of a bratty housecat. More likely to run away if disturbed rather than attack. 

But there are still some Death Dogs out in the wild that have been harder to tame, harder to domesticate. Stubborn beastly stalwarts of when Bavmorda once ruled Nockmaar.

Upon the Empress’ orders, Jade and others sought out the dogs and learned how to tame them.

Chapter 6: December 6

Jade whistles again in a lower pitch. Her dogs line up in formation by her sled. 

Front to back, she counts them by name.

Big Kee, Micks.

Zeemna, Fizz.

Little Curly, Hammi.

All here.

She begins her usual preparation. 

Before a training or race day, Jade makes each dog a hearty meal, tailored to their individual needs and preferences. Once they’re calmer with a full belly, she runs her hands over their wiry fur and down each limb, inspecting for muscle stiffness or potential injuries. 

“Good dogs,” she soothes, putting on their boots and hand-knitted covers for their hairless tails.

Chapter 7: December 7

Once Jade packs her sled with extra food, layers of protection, spare dog boots, and anything else she might need on this arduous day-long race, she heads out to the start line. On her way, her dogs weave in and out of groups of people heading to the race’s starting point. Unable to contain her excitement, she smiles and waves when people cheer as she passes.

Even at this slower pace, steam wisps float off the backs of her dogs. Death Dogs run hotter than other dogs. When combined with their incredible strength and speed, they make ideal sled dogs.

Chapter 8: December 8

“WHOOAAA!” Jade calls, as she settles into the starting area. 

Heavy snow falls as she takes in the thousands of people from all over Andowyne who’ve come to witness today’s race. Finding the spot in the crowd where her friends and family usually gather, she blows a kiss to Scorpia and Boorman. But where’s Kit? Confused by her absence, she mouths Kit’s name to Scorpia inquiring about her whereabouts. 

Scorpia points down the start line. Jade looks past the other sled teams until her eyes settle on the princess.

There she is. Kit Tanthalos, all geared up. Ready to race.

Chapter 9: December 9

Jade waves, getting Kit’s attention. “What are you doing?” she yells.

Unable to hear Kit over dogs barking, she sees Kit give a thumbs up. Then it hits her, the Tir Asleenian musher that pulled out of the race three moons ago, Kit's the replacement.

She panics thinking about Kit racing with little experience. She traces the race’s path in her mind: east to Mother Lake, along the lake edge, westward into the Canyon Maze; all sharp turns and steep cliffs. So many places she or Kit could die horribly. 

Grasping her moon necklace, she begs, “Please give me guidance.”

Chapter 10: December 10

As Jade rides north along the lake’s edge, heavy snow blankets the area.

She’s fallen behind. Her panic about Kit racing caused her to spiral. But with Kit currently ahead of her, she starts to loosen up.

From what Jade can tell, she’s sitting about fifteenth amongst the thirty total sled teams. Kit’s likely sitting around tenth based on what Jade saw of Kit’s surprisingly skillful command of her team.

She takes a big gulp from her water pouch and a couple of bites from a dehydrated fruit roll. Refueled and refocused, Jade sets her sights on gaining precious ground.

Chapter 11: December 11

Passing two sled teams as the race turned westward, she’s made up some ground but not enough. If she can't catch up by the Canyon Maze, she's absolutely screwed.

Everyone pulls into a rest spot for a quick break. Some people adjust their sleds, others provide water to their dogs. Jade gives her pack a specially-made, high-protein snack, hoping it’ll give them the boost they need for the stretch to the Maze.

“C’mon! Mush!” Jade encourages. Her dogs take off like a falcon diving to catch its prey. 

Her pack is built for this moment, this pressure, just like her.

Chapter 12: December 12

Jade smiles giddily. Her dogs have done exactly what she’s asked of them. On this leg of the race, they’ve blasted past six sled teams. Soon to be seven.

Kit and her are racing side by side. She’d give a cheeky wink but Kit wouldn’t see it through the goggles. She opts to blow a kiss.  

The Maze approaches quickly. Jade knows the route she’s going to take without hesitation. She pulls ahead, veering left at the fork in the path.

Looking back to Kit, she hears a horrifying scream. A giant dusting of snow kicks up. 

Jade screams, “Kit?!” 

Chapter 13: December 13

Jade turns her sled around and frantically rushes towards Kit.

As she approaches, she sees Kit face down in the snow.

Jade jumps off her sled, yelling “stay!” to her pack. She kneels by Kit's side. Terrified, she rests her hand on Kit’s back, "Kit? My love?”

Kit turns over slowly. “Uggghhh. That really sucked,” she grunts. 

Jade lets out a heavy, relieved sigh. “Oh, thank the Mothers, you’re alive!”

“Not dead yet.” Kit rasps.

Jade helps Kit stand up. Eyebrows furrowed with worry, she asks, “Are you okay?”

Kit holds her arm, mimicking a sling, "My arm really hurts."

Chapter 14: December 14

“How are my dogs?” Kit asks.

“Luckily, they seem fine," Jade says inspecting Kit’s pack. "What happened?”

“I second guessed my route, made a sharp turn and the sled fell over.” Kit winces as she rotates her sore arm. “It doesn't matter. You gotta get outta here, Jade. You’re falling behind because of me.”

“I care more about you than this race!" Jade yells over winds whistling off the sheer rocks of the Maze. "We can make it to the finish line together!” 

Kit sighs. Jade’s always putting her first. It’s habitual at this point, one she needs to break.

Chapter 15: December 15

“You once said, ‘I go where the Princess goes.’ Well, I go where the expert dog sled racer goes,” Kit says.

“Musher,” Jade corrects.

“Really?!”

Jade scoffs. “How did you not know that?” 

Kit fakes a sad face, “Don’t tease. I’m injured.”

Jade formulates a plan as she wraps Kit’s arm. “We need out of the Maze before dark. I know the hardest but fastest route well. Think you can keep up?"

Kit nods.

“Kit-“ Jade points towards their narrow, cliff-filled route, “...please, don’t fall. Keep tight to the interior.”

Kit adjusts the grip on her sled. “Right. No dying.”