Maybe Ysoldt's words did something, as the bear seems to have a heart attack and drop dead.
Or it was Thalaasi's arrow. One of the two.
The wind blows slowly as you see more storm clouds over the horizon. Gruen groans again.
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As the bear drops, Ysoldt jumps away to stay out of the crash site. You never know how much ice can break when a bear drops on it.
She slowly starts moving to Gruen to check on him. "Be right with you! You are all walking, which seems healthier than whatever Gruen over there is doing." she shouts back at her team.
As she moves over the ice, she pulls out her healer kit. She kneels down to the northerner. "The doctor will see you now, sir. Where does it hurt?"
Gruen climbs out of the snow mound, snow clinging to his frozen blood. "Th-thank you. It hurts all over. The others! The bear dragged them into the cave." he coughs.
Hjeldr, Signe and Ostog are wounded, but alive, at the entryway of the cave. It doesn't take long for Ysoldt to stop the bleeding.
You are able to help the Without Trace or Fail team onto the sleds. Gruen offers his help to pull the sleds to the finish line, as penance for his team's wrongdoing.
Two tall, wooden linnorm statues mark the finish line to the harrowing Balgirdtrek. Crossing the line, the gathered crowd of spectators and participants cheers and applauds. Racers are met with blankets, soup, and medical supplies almost as soon as they are within the village of Frostgarten, where spectators are gathered to celebrate the competition and those who completed it.
Dahlia is the first to greet you all. ”Well done, Will Kill for Lodging. I think you did your organization proud.”
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During the celebration, Ysoldt makes sure to check on the members of Without Trace or Fail.
"Hey, everyone! Looks like you will have some extra bear pelts for the next year's race. I mean - silver linings, right?"
"But seriously now. If not for the bear, you would have won. Soooo - next year, then? I don't speak for others, but I personally will stop while I am at the top. So heal those scratches, and good luck next year!"
Spectators see you and flood the path, drowning you in a mass of questions, inquiries, and chants. Dahlia has to part her way through the crowd, with the officials parting a path. ”Come on, hurry up already before my sis- the Wyrdling Wayfinders catch up.” She arranges you in a circle on top of a small mound of snow.
”This has been a year of firsts. The Varki competed. We made a new route. And Will Kill for Lodging, accomplished Pathfinders, scored their first ever victory. Balgird himself would be proud. Three cheers for our victors!” She raises her hands and hands each of you a wooden mug as the crowd cheers, held back by the officials and some hired security.
Dahlia turns to you. ”Let’s get inside, quick. All of that hot cocoa isn’t going to drink itself. Besides, it’s a lot warmer and comfortable without your adoring fans.” Dahila leads you inside the victory lodge and gestures at a wooden table. ”By the way, winners are responsible for preparing the feast and tending to the wounded. Don’t give me that look, of course I’ll help. And by I, I mean my staff will help. See ya!” Dahila laughs and leaves the lodge before you have a chance to protest.
As you "enjoy" your "reward", you hear of the fates of the other teams.
Wyrdling Wayfinders arrived in 2nd, with Faegrim carrying both of her half-frozen squires over her shoulder. They both thought of polishing her favorite shield and managed to drop it into a freezing lake during a tug of war. Turns out that was not her favorite shield.
Bluetongue's Brawlers came in 3rd. Predictably, frostbite set in during the last day and turned their skin a light shade of blue. Now you know where their name came from.
The Two Houses team came 4th, in good spirits, too. They stayed up to watch the sunrise together, and then overslept. Steen drew a picture of the sunrise as it crested through a snow-bound forest, and they'll commission an artist to render it as an anniversary gift.
Fangs of the Rhemoraz came in last. Ylva says an avalanche buried the team and cost them valuable time, but Marbin says she challenged him to an impromptu shouting contest first. Runa hopes to get a quieter rematch next year to prove the strength of the Varki.
Gruen's scowl fades slightly when Ysoldt drops a joke. "The moons did not bless me with the power of my forebears, but they did bless me with salvation. You saved me and my family from the bear."
He sighs. "You have also saved our fighting spirit. We tried to sabotage some of the events and were disqualified as a result. Ostog promised to restore our honor and play fairly, as soon as he recovers from his injuries. Thank you." He munches on a pickle.
With Will Kill for Lodging at the head of the table, food is served and entertainers sweep in to play music and tell tales of heroism. Some of the newest songs relate to your efforts against a giant bear. Bellies are full, ears are filled, and the mission is successful.