|
Post by Lady Whimsy on Sept 8, 2009 11:43:24 GMT -5
Showoff, Tyden grinned silently as she clambered lightly aboard, but kept his mouth shut; he was hardly familiar enough with the girl to tease, though restraint against nature was hard. Instead he shook his head. "I suppose we wouldn't," he replied gamely, taking hold of the dark mane himself. The offered hand a nice touch, but he aimed to give her as much space as possible as he gracefully avoided her legs and seated himself nearer the withers.
"All set?" he cast a look over his shoulder. "We will reach them by dusk, if we keep a good clip. We'll stop once we're clear the following ridge if you need to rest. And I can also do my best to answer whatever questions you may have as we go, so simply ask."
"Though his keeping silent for any length of time might be more challenge," Odin chuckled, waiting instinctively until they settled then stepping forward, picking his way effortlessly across the uneven ground
|
|
|
Post by dawnstar7 on Sept 11, 2009 0:09:09 GMT -5
Erilynn smiled as he refused her hand and vaulted up in front of her. She grinned at Tyden, wrapping her hands over his belt, and said. "Are you kidding? Of course I'm all set!" If she was going to be honest, she was downright excited, if a tad anxious.
Erilynn, hearing Odin's comment, couldn't withhold her laughter. Finally, wiping the tears from her eyes, she said, "I take it he tends to talk your ears off?"
Still chuckling, Erilynn turned to Tyden. "So, how did you come to be here, in this place? Where are you from? How long have you been here? How did you meet Odin? Are there other unicorns around? Do you live around here? Exactly where are we going? How many people will be there?"
Erilynn paused, blushing slightly. She hadn't meant to make it sound like he was being interrogated, but she couldn't help herself. She had so many questions, and they just kind of ran away with her tongue. She hoped he wasn't annoyed, or worse, thought she was being intrusive in any way. She was really starting to like this guy, and thought they could be good friends. She certainly didn't want to do or say anything to mess that up. Withdrawing into a nervous silence, she instead focused on the fact that they were moving. Odin's gaits were smoother than butter, and an absolute pleasure to experience. If this was how all unicorns moved, she needed to find one willing to let her ride it on a regular basis. It would be a definite step down to return to a horse, even one with the smoothest gaits in the world. She was sure nothing a horse could produce could ever equal this. Momentarily forgetting her embarrassment over all the rapid-fire questions, she began to relax.
|
|
|
Post by Lady Whimsy on Sept 11, 2009 19:43:55 GMT -5
Odin’s ears flicked at her question. “Only when I listen,” he snorted, his mane giving a playful shake, the movement rippling down his body.
Tyden rode silently through the laughter, doing his best to wear a serious face. It was obvious he had no hope in hell of besting the debate anyway, at least, not without proving Odin’s point vicariously. But as Erilynn began speaking rapidly again the dodging grin spread across his face unabated. “And we’re critiquing my penchant to babble!” he laughed openly, scooping a glance over his shoulder, catching her blush as the words ran out. “No worry – if you are wanting to ask, then I am willing to answer, and thusly – we can talk Odin’s ear off together!”
“Myself,” he began with a reflective shrug, “I have always been here. The Daiga raised me as her own, so Kalidore is my natural home. The Isle you see before you was created by Kala herself, the First Unicorn, as a haven for all her children; there are many who call it their home, unicorn and worldly creatures alike.
“Odin, who has been so encompassingly civil today, is my Companion. Or I am his… You see, there is a bond betwixt unicorns and humankind, and when two Companions keenly meet, the universe… aligns itself… in miraculous ways… The Gates are open to them… and things… happen. Good thing,” he added assuredly, wondering just how much he should say. She had to be someone’s companion to have found her way into Kalidore, this much he knew; she was one of them. But to explain Gates and Magic and the Great War…? It was not that he meant to withhold from her, rather that Rhaine and Liliani were just so much better at explaining then him. Plus they could use examples; handy that, explaining about the magic created between a bonded pair when you actually had it at your disposal… He shook his head briskly, ridding the thought before it was completed. “It will all make sense when you meet the Guardians. We are set to meet them over yonder ridge–” he pointed towards the far rock-stuttered rise the sun and begun to sink towards. “I live back across from the plateau we first met, were you to follow it towards the woods. I was returning there for more supplies, which is how I was lucky enough to chance upon you. Our party is traveling deeper into the mountains in search of an old ally; best scenario we should return home in four day’s time. You are more then welcome to accompany us, if you choose; there a half dozen companions newly entered the isle too, I’m sure you will be in good company.”
He glanced backwards again, trying to read her face for some sign of how she digesting what he told her, as fragmented and incomplete as it may have been. Erilynn had lapsed into silence, and in experience, the silence of women could mean any number of things, most of them resulting in no end of headaches on his part. He was about to speak again when the air was cracked with a harsh, trilling cry.
Odin pulled up short, his movement graceful even as hooves churned the earth, changing pace in mid-stride. Dust scattered as he stalled, horn canted and ears pricked in the direction of the sound.
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Sept 14, 2009 20:00:54 GMT -5
Lilaini nodded as her eyes again drifted over the decorative swirls on the map. Maybe Tyden was right, what had been the point of bringing a map that was so poorly marked? Her forehead creased slightly as she realized the words Tyden and right had somehow floated through her mind in the same sentence.
“Yes the going will be easier if we stick to the valley but we will lose a great deal of time on that path,” she replied thoughtfully as she scanned the ever growing number of humans in their company. “But the course we would have to take over the step-lands is difficult and could prove to be more of a challenge then some of our company can handle in their present situation.” The sun was sinking behind the mountains and a fatigue seeped into the guardian’s mind. Sighing, she flopped down so she was laying on her back. She listened as Rhaine mused about the sudden increase of company they could potentially have.
“Have I begun to bore you finally after all these years?” She teased, and hint of amusement lighted in her emerald eyes. “That you crave so much additional company?” The wind picked up and it rustled through the valley grasses, causing Rhaine to shiver again. Lily frowned slightly as she gave her friend a once over, and when her eyes returned to Rhaine’s she could barely suppress the smile that was threatening to spread across her face. The corners of her lips turned up slightly as she tried to speak in an even voice.
“Is your longing to see Tyden the reason you insist upon continuing to wear his oversized shirt instead of your own clothing?” She asked playfully, tugging on the fabric near Rhaine’s waist. “Because you know I would never allow you to leave on a journey without a sufficient amount of clothing” The Guardian strained to keep her face composed, but she had a feeling she was not being entirely successful.
|
|
|
Post by Lady Whimsy on Sept 16, 2009 23:22:18 GMT -5
At her first jest, Rhaine grinned. “Oh, Lily… how ever could I bore of you!” she scooped her arms around her knees and hugged them happily as she laughed. “I should think you would be all the more glad; I know how much you miss the gatherings and social calls… you talk about them with such fondness,” she inclined benignly. This was certainly no secret; the festivities had been a cherished part of the young woman’s youth. Were there ever the opportunity to venture off-isle Lilaini would spring upon it; if the reason happened to involve a large social assembly on the end the young woman would positively glow for days. As of late, with the Daiga’s years taking their toll, these events had become less and less. And while Lily would never peep complaint, Rhaine hardly needed empathic sensitivities to know what longing filled her.
However, as her friend’s next comment also touched on longing the burst of laughter from Rhaine was sweet and short. “Longing! I would hardly call it that – glad to have him, certainly, but about the only thing I long for at this moment is Gate to port us from here to wherever the elven ruins might be. Besides… he smirked at my map this morning,” she added sourly, the memory rising to the surface. She smoothed out the ancient manuscript tenderly again, and noting with dismay that Lilaini seem unwilling to let up on her own soundless giggling, began having inclinations that it had as much to do with that muddled geographical etching as her currently borrowed attire.
“Fine then,” Rhaine got to her feet, making a big show of rolling her eyes and pausing only long enough to furl the map and shove it back in the direction of her slung satchel. “If my state of attire causes you such feverish distress, then I shall change. It just seemed a superfluous waste of clean linen…” she muttered, headed in the direction of the clothing in her packs, which were still secured to Xanthe, and, after a moment scanning, the woman couldn’t put finger on exactly where the both of them were. Horseradish, she thought glumly, hoping that the kore hadn't managed to find trouble in the short time she'd been talking with Lilaini. The valley was quiet, the yaks content, but deep in the back of her mind something had begun... twinging... She shook her head briskly and turned her attention back to the others, mind touching on each in turn as she accounted for them bodily. Her gaze lighted upon Phae, standing to the edge of the gathering where she lipped the grass around her feet with unswallowed distraction; Rhaine watched thoughtfully for a moment, then started forward.
“Afternoon, Phae,” she began brightly. “You haven’t by chance seen a certain collection of saddle bags wander by? They were strapped to the back of a somewhat wayward dun kore I believe you are familiar with. Or perhaps you’ve seen the kore herself, as the two are somewhat… attached. In particular I am looking for my clothing pack so that I might obligingly change out of this shirt, for apparently dressed as I am has caused Lilaini no end of drole humour…”
|
|
|
Post by dawnstar7 on Sept 27, 2009 12:33:19 GMT -5
Erilynn's laughter, like warmed honey, sounded through the air at {color=silver]Odin's[/color] remark. Her eyes sparkled with mirth.
As Tyden answered her questions, she listened closely, entranced. "So, this 'Daiga' raised you? But where did you come from, if you weren't born here?" She thought about the rest of what he'd said,.
"So, you and Odin are 'companions'? You said when a human and unicorn meet, they become companions? Do you think that will happen to me? That I could have a companion?"
Erilynn mulled over that possibility, thinking of what it might be like to have a unicorn companion. The idea was very appealing. After all, who wouldn't want one? She was eager to meet these Guardians he spoke of. She was sure she'd have many questions to ask them.
Looking at the ridge in the near distance, she asked, "It won't take us that long to reach them, will it?" Recalling what he'd said about others like herself, she wondered what they would be like. Maybe she really would make new friends in this place. The thought made her smile in anticipation.
After they had travelled a short distance, a sudden, trilling cry echoed harshly through the air. Startled, she stared in the direction the sound had come from as Odin skidded gracefully to a stop. Eyes wide, her grip on Tyden tightened.
"What was that?" she asked, her voice faint.
|
|
|
Post by Lady Whimsy on Sept 29, 2009 9:20:58 GMT -5
Tyden nodded gamely at her onslaught of questions. “The Daiga is the original Guardian of the Isle, and Kala’s own Companion. She is the only family I know, as my parents died shortly after I was born. I actually don’t know a lot about them, only that there was a war; Dai said Kal brought me here. I never really asked, because it always seemed to make Dai so sad.” He shrugged, indifferently; there were no hard memories there, no regrets; Kalidore had always been good to him. He grinned at her question about companions. “Well, I guess that depends if any unicorn will have you…”
The noise brought his head around even as Odin was turning. It had come from beyond the next ridge, and close. As Erilynn’s grip tightened he had to admit that some of his confidence in rescuing damsels was returning, and when he answered her there was a certain quality to his tone. “Oh, that was skycat… from the sounds of it, large one. But they’re mostly harmless, so long as you don’t get on their bad side. They like to hunt the hora that wander from the forest to graze, or goats up higher in the mountains… probably followed one of the traveling flocks into the valley. But they don’t bother anything else really, at least, not maliciously; they’re more a nuisance then anything else. ”
Another bellow cut the air, but this one was low and guttural, undulating and lamenting until retreating again into silence.
Tyden considered. “And that was a mammoth. Also, mostly harmless. Not common in these parts of the mountain and generally not found in the company of skycats. It is the time of year they migrate… but they tend to keep to themselves; perhaps this one got separated from it’s herd. There was—”
And another noise broke the afternoon with a short fluted trumpet. Now even Tyden looked a bit confused. “A cerewynne. Alright, I can’t explain that one. Even I haven’t seen one in years.”
He turned in his seat, nearly clunking into Erilynn who was fixed in place, distress obvious in her troubled eyes. “You don’t really think either Odin or I would let harm befall you? Besides,” he grinned appealingly, “it’s just over a two hour ride until we catch up with the others; could probably shave some time off of that if you’re up to some hard riding. Plenty of time check this out. Besides – when are you going to get the chance to see a cerewynne again?”
|
|
|
Post by Lady Whimsy on Sept 29, 2009 22:08:33 GMT -5
Not far away, in the midst of a rainbow of yaks, Adar had the bright and irresistibly shiny beetle pinned between his forepaws. In the sunlight, the beetle glinted with every hue of green and azure and the little griffon was complete mesmerized with his prize, which was almost as nice as the beautiful sparkly Lilaini had taken from him earlier. The beetle was entirely unimpressed, clicking its mandibles and making irritable hissing noises. Now, Adar had always been of the opinion that something that looked fantastic had to tastes that way too, or at the very least must be sampled, and poised himself over for a bite; it was then that beetle, a species unique to that part of the sky fields, let off the highest pitched trill imagined from such a small bug. It startled the griffon, who sat back abruptly on his haunches and in the motion released his grip on beetle just slightly. This was all the bug needed; in a flash of glinted green, it dove under a tuff of hair and was gone. Well. That simply would not do! With a high-pitched squeal of his own, Adar dove into the yak, beak first. The yak was a middle-aged cow, lightly lavender in colour, her calf long weaned and looking forward to a quiet winter on the plateaus; she had lived in these mountains all her life and had seen it all, stood off against contemplative cave bears and held stubborn ground to the traversing migratory mammoths. She had not, however, in all her years, come across an irate pocket griffon, particularly one that was clinging to her neck and champing into the soft skin beneath. The cow did what any self-respecting yak would do – assume it was GIANT, YAK-EATING HORSEFLY and tried to rid herself of it, immediately, in the most affective way possible. Which meant shooting straight up into the air and emitting a most impressive bellow befitting of her stature. And before she even hit the ground was sparking off again, pitching and plunging and reeling at full gallop, or whatever it is that cows do at top speed, an ungraceful and quaking gait that shook everything asunder – except one undeniably stubborn small griffon. All around her the other yaks, who always assumed the worse, reacted in like – they careened out of her way, breaking into a jarring dance of bucking and rearing as they scattered in all directions. The effect spread like rings across a pond. A ripple grew, at first an almost indiscernible whisper of motion from somewhere in the midst, moving like wildfire through the herd and gaining momentum… * * *
A little ways away Liam found himself confronted with the ivory stallion, the reactive concern that broke over his face immediately bringing into perspective how trivial the man’s own issues were by comparison. He coloured, glancing towards Phae inadvertently, who at that moment was being greeted by Rhaine; his sense of confused bemusement became all the more acute and he returned his attention to Arieon hastily. “Er, no sir. No danger at all. Sorry to have alarmed you. I was just… walking…” Arieon had followed his gaze and the strange look on the soldier’s face began to make more sense in context; at least as much as he surmised. Phae seemed to be positively seething and he did recall her sharp temper at the festival the evening before; Rhaine seemed to be a little prickled too. This he was more confused about because he was sure he had left her in good spirits when they parted earlier. He glanced back at the solider again. When the man muttered his abashéd reply, the stallions pricked his ears forward more kindly; after all, this sort of problem was completely within his ken! “Now now,” he began heartily, “there is no need to look so downcast about the manner of mares… They are notably capricious creatures, and it is not our place to try and discern the intimate workings of their minds. Better to leave well enough alone, I say.” Arieon nodded his head assuredly, catching the glint of sunlight on his mane and enjoying the way it seared with white fire. “They come around in due time. Or they don’t. Either way we have little influence on the affair so there’s no need to invest in such troubled. ‘Tis quite the truth of the matter… er, your name was, good sir…?” “Liam,” Liam stammered. “Liam! I did know that,” he murmured absentmindedly, tossing his mane the other way to watch fall. “Of course, you could always try flowers…” Liam stared at him somewhat slack-jawed. Truly, he had no idea what to say to that, none at all. In the moment it seemed he had a short reprise, because the stallion seemed to be distracted and was playing with his mane; he scratched the back of his neck in disquietude, looking for a polite way to change the topic. Up on the rising slope movement caught his eye, a strange ripple of motion working its way through the herd. The soft cover of yaks, which gave the whole valley a kind of cotton-coated appearance, was slowly become a lively and restless sea. It was quite pretty, actually, like bobbing, multi-coloured spools of yarn, a moving tapestry. As he watched, a strange, nagging sensation began falling to the bottom of his stomach. “Och, is that… normal?” he turned to Arieon tentatively. Arieon’s attention was pulled from his glorious mane by the tone in his voice alone. The hair fell silently to his sides as he looked in the direction, his pale blue eyes mirroring the falling dread in the soldier’s own. The ivory stallion drew in his breath. His ears swiveled, marking the location of each in his flock as he stood motionlessly. The hills had become something living, writhing and spilling down the slopes towards them. “On my back,” said Arieon suddenly. Liam didn’t hesitate to think. He looped his hand through the sleek mane and pulled himself up, groaning slightly as the stitch in his side strained with the effort. He was barely settled when stallion burst forward, cutting towards the others with measured efficiency. *Look to the hills* Arieon sent to Gypsy wordlessly as he paced. I Must get them moving, must get them to safety, the resolve built within as he surveyed the green canyon with quick, thirsty glances. The way they had come down was too steep for a brisk retreat, and there was time yet, providing he didn’t waste it in indecision. He was the youngest stallion, inexperienced in comparison to his brothers, and life on the shores of the Tyressline was generally idyllic. For a brief moment he wished Odin were still with them, but banished the thought quickly in disgrace. What kind of stallion would he be if he always looked to his brother? And Arieon was more then capable. This he knew. A pealing trumpet lifted from his lips, a musical sound as he herald to the band. “We must move now, and quickly,” he addressed them calmly. As one their heads turned, lifting from the grass to regard him with confusion and concern. Nostrils flared and ears acute he was a formidable sight framed against the falling sun. “Towards the far hills,” he told them. “About, collect your companions and go!” To emphasize his point he reached out and nipped lightly at the round dappled rump of Thora standing nearby. “Now!” There was little need for further urging, and Areion was already moving again. He had spotted on his earlier circle of the flock that a unicorn was missing. A fiery red mare had slipped quietly from the herd and her young companion was on foot. So was her small friend, the new arrival. His hooves tore the earth as barreled towards them, “you will need to help them,” he told Liam as they drew near. The solider nodded, seeing exactly where the stallion’s concern lay as they pulled along side Tia and Ali. “Give me your hand,” Liam met their startled faces with as much confidence as he could muster. The earth had begun to tremble, and beyond the valley filled with a sound booming like thunder…
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Oct 3, 2009 23:09:34 GMT -5
Gypsy was having grazing quietly near where the two Guardians had been sitting. She watched with some interest but was enjoying the quiet, serene nature of the valley. She was bemused slightly as she watched Rhaine stalk off and caught her companions eye. You tease her so, one of these days you’re truly going to offend her. Lilaini laughed and laid back down on the grass, knowing there was no seriousness in what the mare said. She closed her eyes and let the sun warm her face.
Gypsy moved away slightly to find a tastier patch of grass when something began to tug at her consciousness, an odd feeling that she was being observed. She stopped and looked up, casting her gaze to the sides of the valley. Her eyes did not find what she was seeking, but the feeling did not lessen any, and she turned to examine the hills on the other side. Her eyes caught the sea of movement just as Arieon’s voice broke into her mind. Lilaini’s eyes widen as she received the message as clearly as her companion and she was on her feet before the mare had to tell her to do so. The Guardian threw herself onto the mares back, and Gypsy was instantly in motion. She echoed the stallions call with one of her own and dashed towards the front of the group, heading for the only exit to the valley. The exit was not far away from where the group had been converging, but it appeared quite narrow. The mouth was lined by tall trees, and was overhung by the wall itself, which leared over the tree tops in an almost menacing fashion. Rocks lined the hilltop, causing almost no vegetation to growupon the valley wall. Gypsy analyzed it closer and shuddered when she realized perhaps only 3 unicorns abreast could fit through at one time.
“Follow me everyone! Quickly!” the mares hooves dug into the ground as she guided the group towards the exit. She cast a glance behind her and saw her brother driving everyone forward, ensuring he kept them following her. He was the youngest stallion, and had certainly lived a tranquil life so far, but he was doing his duty expertly now and if she had not been so consumed with concern for the others she would have been proud of him. As it was, she was focused on leading the group as quickly and safely to the exit that no such thought was able to cross her mind until much later.
Lilaini clung expertly to the bronze mare’s back and she immediately reached out to Rhaine’s mind. Is everyone back there alright? Stay to the middle, we make for the exit. She was about to say more when a feeling of unease that was unrelated to what was behind them flickered through her companions mind. What is it?, she asked to the mare beneath her.
Gypsy could not place where this feeling was coming from but she was getting a disquieting feeling the closer they got to the exit. She looked about her but saw nothing to cause this, nor did she see an alternative route. I am not sure, she said simply in response, and did not slacken her pace.
Tia was standing with her arm extending, offering the pack of gum to her new acquaintance when a strange man on a beautiful pale stallion came skidding to a stop next to them. Her jaw dropped slightly as the man insisted upon taking her hand and hauling her up behind him on the unicorn. She hesitated for a split second, until she felt the earth beneath her feet begin to tremble and a sound like a train reached her ears. She dropped the gum pack and grabbed the man’s hand, not having the slightest idea what she was expected to do to get onto the unicorns back which was well over her head. Luckily, she didn’t weigh much and the man seemed to sense she had no idea how to proceed, and he pulled her up height enough she managed to swing her leg over the stallions back and shimmy herself up behind him. Without thinking, she mimicked the gesture and grabbed Ali’s hand. Luckily, this girl was slightly more adept at the proper protocol, and swung easily up behind her.
With all three humans now astride the stallions back, she did not have much time to feel uncomfortable when she realized she was the meat of this stranger sandwich, because the stallion was almost instantly in motion. She had enough self preservation to disregard any embarrassment she might have otherwise felt, and wrapped her arms securely around the waist of the man in front of her and hung on for dear life. She had not been on a horse since she was 7 years old at her best friends birthday party, and at this moment, she didn’t really think that riding experience was of any assistance to her now. Her only hope was that the people surrounding her were good enough riders that they would not let her fall off. She closed her eyes as she tried to control her breathing and realized, that with her eyes closed the movement didn’t feel quite so violent as the stallion’s hooves flew across the earth.
|
|
|
Post by angelofmusic on Oct 7, 2009 14:59:32 GMT -5
Trinity had been quietly conversing with Aurellie as the journey continued, the mare answering as many of the questions that her companion asked. As the group came to a resting point, Trinity slid from Aurellie's back and stretched a bit while her companion went to graze.
Trinity soon found a spot to take a seat and watched the others, though also watched what else was happening in the canyon. She didn't see the other mare making her way over to her until she heard the call for everyone to move. She blinked, then saw the reason why. Trinity didn't have much of a choice and quickly moved towards Tien, swinging on to her back.
"I hope ye do'na mind!" she said and held on for when the mare would take off.
If and when she took off, Trinity would hold on, tightening her legs to keep her in place. She knew Aurellie would catch up with them, she was a smart mare.
(I hope that was alright -.- I can't think of what color Tien's color is. It looks gray, but I made it silver...)
|
|
|
Post by silentmoon on Oct 8, 2009 15:44:20 GMT -5
Ali opened her mouth to answer Tia's question, wondering at the same time 'yeah, she's more than a friend. Maybe more like the other half of me, basically. It's hard to really put in words.' However the words died when a sudden thundering vibration rumbled through the ground. As quickly as the ground vibrated, everyone was on the sudden rush to move.
The sudden flash of ivory flesh and a voice caught Ali's attention. She watched yet her mind was slower to process the happenings all around. The girl suddenly found herself taking Tia's hand, swinging herself onto Aerion's back with skill born of past practice.
"I'll tell you later!" Ali tried to project towards Tia from behind before the stallion was off into a full gallope. However, everything she was going to- or well planning to tell the older aquintance vanished when one name seeped into her mind "Fiera". Where was she? Ali felt alone and lost, but she comforted herself the very least to know that her companion did have a better head on her shoulders. 'She'd be fine, I hope' thought Allison, suddenly remembering that falling off was not on her list of things to do.
She clung to Tia, wrapping her arms tightly around the older girl's waist and looked ahead. She hopped that wherever Fiera was, she was alright and that she was come back soon. Like, really soon.
|
|
|
Post by Delicious on Oct 11, 2009 1:40:11 GMT -5
Pasiphae, after leveling a rather nasty and heated glare at the backside of her hastily retreating rider. Unwilling to follow Liam and demand an apology*, and not really trusting herself to not fly off the handle at anyone else,** Pasiphae decided to take out some of her bad mood on the grass at her feet. She stomped on a flower or two, and ripped up a couple of clumps of grass by the roots - but felt no better for her little tantrum, and the dirt from the roots hardly improved the taste of the grass. Pasiphae grumped, and lipped the rest of the surrounding foliage huffily while she mused on other ways to vent her seething anger.
Her internal monologue was broken unexpectedly by Rhaine's voice. The Guardian's words, however, made little sense to her at first - although the confusion had the happy side effect of breaking up at least a small measure of her surliness. When Rhaine mentioned the saddlebags attachment to Xanthe, Pasiphae's lack of understanding dissipated. She cast about briefly, but seeing hide nor hair of the youngling, began to mentally rewind the last leg of the journey to see if she could recall anything in particular about her whereabouts. Unfortunately for both, she vaguely remembered seeing her crest the hill at some point - but really only recalled her prickly altercation with Liam shortly thereafter.
The mare shook her head. "Not lately, sorry Lad... ehr Guardian. Rhaine." She verbally stumbled, flushing with embarrassment as she caught herself using Liam's own epithet for the brunette Guardian. Another reason to lay into the man - poisoning her head with his nonsense. Stuck between burning embarrassment at the slip, and re-growing anger at Liam, Pasiphae wasn't sure whether to change the subject or just stalk off to find and give the soldier a good nip. Luckily enough, the need for a decision shortly became moot as Arieon's voice rang out - and the summons to MOVE became quickly apparent.
Her eyes widened at the increasingly thunderous noise of the yaks that covered the slopes, and after eyeing the colored masses that began to broil to wards them, quickly decided she agreed with Arieon's assessment of the situation - and a hasty retreat was crucial. Her first impulse was to seek out Liam, and she had already taken a couple of quick steps in his direction - preparing to bolt to wards the last location she had seen the man - when her brain caught up with her and she belatedly realizing the nearby Guardian's own perilous situation. Her heart already pounding and her rising adrenaline didn't allow her much time for embarrassment or guilt (although it was sure to hit her in full force later), she simply quick-stepped right back to the woman and nosed her shoulder roughly, urging her to mount. "Hurry, and we should still be able to catch Xanthe and that blasted buffoon before either gets trod into pancakes..!" she said, as she cast back and forth between eyeing the approaching stampede, and the surge of unikore around them that fled their coming.
---
Liam did not have much time to think - he simply kept his seat as solidly as he could, leaned forward and one hand buried in the corn silk mane of the stallion, the other traveling back and forth between keeping hold of the mane and checking the hold of the other passengers clasped about his middle. Both girls had mounted easily enough - and he hoped that they had enough experience to keep their seats - one extra passenger could be manageable, but ensuring the solid seat of three was not something that Liam was well practiced with...
"Och, well - we certainly don't seem to do 'aught by halves around here..." he murmured to himself as the cremello stallion flashed on wards. The soldier tried to sneak a look over his shoulder, both to try and catch a glimpse of the proximity of the oncoming stampede, but also to see if he could see if Pasiphae and Rhaine had begun their flight as well. So fast was their speed, however, and worried was he of upsetting the balance of the girls behind him - he was unable to see little else than the those immediately to either side. None seemed to be the blood bay mare or the brown-eyed Guardian, and his stomach clenched a bit in worry, and tried to trust that even Pasiphae had enough sense to get out of the way of several hundred tonnes of stampeding woolly yak...
Footnotes: *As really - she wasn't ENTIRELY sure what he should be apologizing for in particular. Well, other than upsetting her. And in general being a pigheaded MAN. ** Really, this was a rather uncharacteristic display of forethought and social conscience from the young ms. Phae, and had Spirit been around (and not already chiding her for her snarky antics already past), she might have actually gotten an ear nibble and a sweet biscuit from Lana.
|
|
|
Post by Lady Whimsy on Oct 11, 2009 11:16:30 GMT -5
The summons from Arieon and the subsequent call from Liliani flooded Rhaine with urgency, and she stood for a moment, stomach falling into her shoes, eyes lighting on the travelers as if she would save them by marking them each in turn. Phae's butting against her shoulder made her turn, realizing her own immediate danger in the situation, and wordlessly pulled herself astride. *Xanthe* she sent forward with her mind to seize the kore, *follow Gypsy - now!*"Come, we must see to the others," she turned to Phae seamlessly, indicating her direction with a gentle nudge of her knee. Already Gypsy had taken the lead, following the length of the valley to lead the flock towards the pass, headed for the small mouth where even the most unskilled of riders would be able to follow. Please don't let anyone fall off, Rhaine squeezed her eyes closed against the stinging dust, Phae's hooves barely touching the ground as she flew. Down towards them the hills fell in soft swells of writhing colour... * Xanthe was eating late blackberries when the summons came, shrill and unyielding, and didn't wait to contemplate it as Rhaine's second call collided into her with the first. By this point she was allready running. Glancing over her shoulder she had seen the hills come to life, and every instinct in her young body saw how this was indeed a very, very bad thing. Finding Gpysy seemed like a really good idea in reflection, not that she really stopped to think about it. The roar of the cascading yaks all but drowned out the frantic jingling of her bells as she spied the bronze mare and her rider at the head of the band. They were skimming along the side of the valley, keeping ahead of the stampede, and biding their exit towards one of the deep fissures that cut the great rock faces asunder. Xanthe doubled her efforts and cut across the rocky grassland to catch them at the cross, pulling up behind them. She wanted to know what was happening, where they were going, what they were going to do if the yaks didn't stop ever, but the grim look on the mare's face made her hold her tongue. Ahead, she saw the pass narrow severely and she swallowed, hard, forgetting her previous resolve. "Great Kal's horn - are we all gonna fit through THAT?" * Arieon flagged behind the flock, allowing each of the mares to pass him to safely, taking up his rightful place as a stallion at the rear. There he could see who needed help, who needed encouragement, and who needed a well-aimed nip on the butt to keep moving. The three riders on his back he was also terribly concerned about, and his care of them prevented the stallion from pushing harder then he already was, one ear turned to mark the progress of the yaks behind them. Ahead, he saw Gypsy plunge in to the narrow maw of the pass and disappear, the unicorns at her heels drawing in behind her. Almost there. With any luck, the stampede would follow the wider mouth of the valley, and none would push their way through rocks randomly after them. But a stampede was something without a head, a lead, a cause, and above all else, dangerously unpredictable. All they could do was keep ahead of them, bide their wit against the dark, and hope to Kal there was light on the other side... * Above shadows moved, cutting between the rocks like stolen night, pressing, peering, drawing towards them like a moth to a flame. No one saw, no one heard, for all around them the roar of the falling hills rang with the dissonance of the first dying dawn...
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Oct 11, 2009 12:01:21 GMT -5
The pair reached their destined exit, and Gypsy plunged through the narrow opening just as Xanthe darted behind them. Gypsy ignored the kore’s question, knowing that they would indeed fit through this passage way, but no more than 3 abreast. Lilaini again looked over her shoulder to see ensure everyone was behind them. Tiponi and Luminista were the next ones to hurtle through the opening, closely followed by Trinity astride Tien Mu. This pairing concerned her, and the guardian searched the sea of unicorns until she picked out Aurellie towards the middle of the group. Good, she was safe as well.
The guardian turned her attention back to the task at hand while trying to ensure she retained her balance upon the bronze mare despite behind turned half way around. Cheri was astride Alcyone, with the newcomer’s Isandro and Aljan at their flank. Closely behind was Rhaine and Phae with Foehn Miri at their side. Pulling up the rear was Bryn and Thora with Arieon driving from the back. It was at this point Lilaini saw that he was carrying three riders. Liam, Tia, and Ali were all astride the stallion as they too entered the pass. Tali was also towards the back, running alongside the herd of unicorns ensuring to stay out of the way of hooves, his face set and determined.
Gypsy felt her riders mental relief at finding that everyone had entered the pass, and redoubled her pace with her dun shadow mirroring her every move. They flew along the pass which cut sharply to the left a few feet ahead. A strange presence touched on the outer edge of the mare’s consciousness and a feeling of panic flooded her. Her step faltered as she made the turn, and the source of her panic was shown. The path ended here. The sides of the passage wall at some recent point had given way, and rocks blocked their exit. She skidded to a stop, her nostril’s flaring. No, she thought as she stared at the pile of rock. Lilaini had turned her attention back to the front and her eyes widen as her brain registered what had happened. I can’t move them all, she said to her companion in despair. There are too many, and I wouldn’t be able to do it in time. Gypsy knew this without the guardian saying it, but it seemed worse to hear it said aloud. Where were they to go now?
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Oct 11, 2009 12:10:43 GMT -5
Tia had managed to get herself to a point where she didn’t feel like she was going to bounce off the stallion’s back, but this was probably due to the vice grip she had on the man’s waist, rather than any increase in riding ability. She chanced a look behind her because they appeared to be pulling up the rear of this unicorn group, and saw that the stampeding yaks were not far behind. Ali had wrapped her arms around Tia’s waist, and the young girl could feel her acquaintances tension vibrating through her body. The look on Ali’s face was one of deep concern and at first Tia thought it was because of the situation they had found themselves in. But then, she realized that Ali’s special unicorn companion was not with them and that this must be the cause .
“I’m sure she’s safe!” she hollered over her shoulder unsure what you are supposed to say to someone under these circumstances. She tried to look reassuring as she said this. “She’s probably up ahead of us somewhere!”
|
|
|
Post by geob on Oct 11, 2009 17:43:57 GMT -5
Well, judging from the vain stallion's speech, Tiponi concluded her presence hadn't been noted. While a part of her acknowledged a need to make her presence known, she was too distracted by Arieon's words on mare's and wondering if the same applied to humans here. She stood there trying to process the whole complicated and confusing matter of males and females and dynamics in relationships between the two here...face it Tip, your brain is going into overload here, she thought to herself. Suddenly, the man, (Liam) was on the stallion (Arieon) and the pair were racing away. She had totally missed what had brought about their hasty exit in her distraction, but watching them leave she noticed the rippling movement of the colorful yaks of the valley. Having never encountered a stampede, Tiponi watched the commotion with a detachment born of ignorance.
Upon Arieon's clarion call, Luminista's head came up. She had been taking advantage of the quiet time to fill her belly, finally content now that her restlessness had been explained and settled with the discovery of her new companion. Almost without thought she had been keeping tabs on the girl, but only enough to know that she was close. Now, with the alarm raised, she struggled with panic because she could not see Tiponi. Tiponi, where are you, she sent out. She could not bear to loose this girl when she had only just discovered her. Tip! Tip!
At the call to move, Tien Mu swiveled her head around trying to place the source of the call as well as the cause. Her eyes had only just found the pale stallion when she suddenly found herself mounted. Huh?
Everything clicked at once for Tien Mu. "Not at all," she responded to the flame-haired girl with the obviously firmly held seat. Without further hesitation she moved off quickly with the others, Foehn Miri catching up to her and the girl only to fall back a bit. Where was Luminista, she briefly wondered.
Luminista's panic vanished as quickly as it had struck. Tip was just the other side of those trees. Plunging through the foliage she pulled up alongside the girl. The reality of the situation had sunk in for the girl just has Luminista's call had reached her, so she was quite glad to pull herself onto the mare's back where she clung for dear life.
Running for all she was worth Luminista soon found herself amongst the others and pulling into the front, passing her two friends in her rush to get her human companion to safety. Pressing hot on the heels of Gypsy and Lilaini, she looked ahead and saw the sharp turn coming, so Luminista eased her pace. Her rider didn't have the experience to maintain her seat through sudden moves. It was a good thing she had slowed or she would have run right into the leading pair or the pack laden kore. As it was her stop was abrupt enough to put Tiponi onto her neck. As the girl got herself resettled Luminista surveyed the rock pile ahead.
|
|
|
Post by angelofmusic on Oct 12, 2009 9:23:30 GMT -5
Trinity held on to Tien's short mane as best she could, keeping herself down a bit on the mare's back, yet her eyes searched in the rush for Aurellie. Soon her eyes spotted her unicorn, who was a bit back from where she was.
Aurellie! Up here! On the black unicorn with the greenish horn! Trinity called to her through mind. It was not long till the other pulled up alongside Tien.
"Gracious child! You gave me a fright when I couldn't find you! I was afraid to move from the spot!" Aurellie said as she galloped beside Tien, but she gave a quick nod to the other. "Thank you my dear. I'm afraid I wandered a bit far from my companion here."
As they pulled up, looking at what was ahead, she looked over her shoulder to see what was happening, but she quickly turned back and gave a quick pat to Tien's neck.
"Aye, thank ye. When we get out o' this sticky spot an' make camp for the night, I owe ye a rub down an' I will'na ta'e 'no' for an answer," she grinned and then looked ahead to see if there was any other way out of the pass that was safe for them all, but she saw nothing yet.
|
|
|
Post by dawnstar7 on Oct 12, 2009 17:35:59 GMT -5
Erilynn listened attentively as Tyden answerd her questions. At the mention of his parents' death, she felt a stab of pain, and empathy. "My parents died just a few years ago. I miss them very much, but at least I knew them, grew up with them. I'm very grateful for that, and can't imagine what it might have been like not to have had them there." Her voice trailed off, as she wasn't sure what else she could say.
Still unnerved about the shrill scream that split the just moments before, she listened closely as he explained what it was. As he seemed unconcerned, she relaxed, breathing a quiet sigh of relief. Turning back to him, she asked, "So, what exactly is a skycat?" She was imagining a big cat, maybe like a cougar, with wings. Erilynn wondered what such a creature might look like, but believed she'd be perfectly fine never seeing one.
Suddenly, yet another cry filled the air. This one was different, low and guttural, and sounding somewhat mournful. Having tensed slightly, she relaxed as Tyden told her what it was. She thought of the incongruity of mammoths living here, in such a temperate climate. However, before he had even finished speaking, yet another cry split the air. Caught by surprise, Erilynn jerked slightly, and her grip on Tyden, which had loosened, tightened convulsively. Embarrassed , she loosened her grip once more.
As Tyden turned to her, she smiled slightly, hoping she didn't look too unnerved. "No, I know neither you or Odin would let anything happen to me. Those cries were just...unnerving is all." Briefly wondering what exactly a cerewynne was, she smiled in relief at the mention of how close they were to the others. They would easily make it there by nightfall. "I'm up for about anything you can dish out," she said, grinning.
Her smile faded, however, as Tyden continued talking. "Are you kidding me?!" she said increduously. "You want to go and look for it? What if we run into the skycat and mammoth as well?" she asked. She bit her lip nervously, sure she didn't want anything to do with such a crazy venture.
|
|
|
Post by shazzadee86 on Oct 12, 2009 20:13:08 GMT -5
It didn't take Isandro and Aljan long to start moving after the cries of the others rang out in the valley. Throwing himself astride Aljan with as much grace as he could manage with his limited riding skills, Isandro glanced around in time to see everyone else doing similarly.
As soon as his companion was seated, Aljan took off after the rest of the group as they galloped towards the pass, away from the stampeding animals, and cringed internally as he realised how narrow it was. Slowing his pace as they neared, they entered the pass, only to come to an abrupt halt as they found themselves as stuck as those around them.
Allowing himself a brief moment of satisfaction at staying astride, Isandro turned back to watch as the rest of their group fell alongside them in the narrow pass.
'This is going to be interesting.' He silently sent to Aljan. The koros was finding himself jostled by those surrounding him, and like them, was trying not to continue it with little success.
'I would be content with boring. Ooof!'
'I doubt you're alone there.' Turning his glance skyward, Isandro took in the narrow strip of blue, all of the sky you could see due to the rocky walls surrounding them.
|
|
|
Post by Lady Whimsy on Oct 13, 2009 15:40:11 GMT -5
Tyden nodded his head solemnly, as if seriously considering Erilynn’s concern. This lasted for about 12 seconds. Then he grinned. And if by this point Erilynn hadn’t realize that this was generally the beginning and of all things, then she’d learnt nothing since arriving on Kalidore.
“You did say anything,” the man reminded pointedly, as if this accounted for everything, and before she could protest further on the matter Odin was striding forward again and towards the noise.
Up over top the rise the stallion’s hooves made short work, and when they crested the sight that met them was… perplexing. Even Odin gave a surprised snort, but didn’t break trot as he came down the slope towards them.
In the middle of the clearing sat a young bull mammoth, his tusks indicating his age to be only about 15, a mere teenager in the life of mammoths. Every now and then he let out a bellow, and this was because of the skycat that was harassing him from above. The skycat was the largest of Kalidore’s griffons, a lythe and sinuous animal, not unlike the offspring of an osprey and a cheetah, should ever those two animals have agreed to amorous nuptials. The creature was spotted widely, indicating it to be a female, and therefore also lacked the male’s more impressive mane. Her beak snapped with irritation as she hovered, every now and then letting loose a volley of insults the mammoths’ way. When she did, the mammoth shuffled, as if beginning to rise, when a sharp yodel from behind interrupted him. And there was a the cerwynne – a huge, stately white deer, easily bigger then any example of the species known to earth, complete with utterly decedent golden antlers that swept back over his body to in a great spanning rack to curl again towards him at their conclusion. It was the ends of these which were curiously but completely stuck in the thick mammoth’s hair. Thus every time the mammoth rose, the Cerwynne would kick reproachfully, and the mammoth would settle with a sigh, and griffon would begin affronting him again.
The onlookers had unwittingly come to a stop, and even the Unicorn wore a look of baffled confusion. Tyden’s gaze followed one to the other as the scene played out another time, and when it returned to the skycat’s part once more he was suddenly sliding to the ground and across the turf before either of his two companions could wager otherwise.
“Hold up!” he shouted upwards, waving his arms to get the winged fury’s attention. All heads turned (well, the cerwynne turned as well as he could, his rack as snugly attached to the mammoth as it was). “I have no idea how you all came to be here in this… predicament, but I assure continuance is not helping anyone. What’s happening here?”
The creatures seemed to exchange glances. The cerwynne sighed. “You might as well start—” he began to the mammoth, when the skycat broke in with sputtering angst.
“Mmmmmy shiiiiiiny! It’s sitting on mmmmy shiiiiiny!” she hissed.
The mammoth sighed, long golden-red lashes closing over tiered eyes.
Tyden’s hand had landed on his head and scratched there absently as he assessed the situation. “I will assume there is some truth in that…. though I am not sure I completely understand how…” He turned to the great hind who had spoken first, awaiting further explanation. The hind eyeballed him furiously.
“He’s stuck,” the mammoth finally replied.
“Well of course I am! Any dimwit with half a brain can see that! And if you had the other half a brain you’d have seen me there in the first place—”
“He’s a bit touchy,” the mammoth sulked. The cerwynne stamped repeatedly, a fluted snort piercing his lips. The skycat reeled, coming in to swoop again, and Tyden leapt forward, swinging his arms out again.
“STOP! By Kal stop it, all of you!” The creatures fell silent, but their body language clearly stated that this was only temporary, and if he had a point to make, he’d better do so quickly. “You –” he turned to the griffon, “won’t get your shiny back until our mammoth friend here decides to stand. And he can’t do that until you have got your antlers out of that mess,” he viewed the cerwynne again. “SIT!!” he spun hastily as the griffon careened in for a swipe at his ear. He’d unsheathed his sword in that movement too, and the steel end hissed by the beast’s hooked beak. “If you don’t, you are not going to get your shiny, understand that?” he spoke very seriously. The skycat squalled one last time, but finally folded its wings and lighted beside them. She continued glare at him however, the feathers around her neck flaring grumpily.
Tyden concealed his relief because he needed to maintain some semblance of being in control. He looked to the mammoth again. “Now… how say we all… get to the bottom of this?” he began. The animals looked expectant, but with reservations, and the bull met him dejectedly with large, doleful eyes. He turned slightly, catching Odin and Erilynn in the corner of his view; the Unicorn was unmoving and his rider seem similarly put, which seemed to suggest they were both waiting on him too…
Tyden swallowed. He had to admit, that just perhaps, this was a little more er, mammoth a problem then he had initially anticipated...
|
|
|
Post by Lady Whimsy on Oct 16, 2009 11:14:17 GMT -5
The air was thick with dust and choked her lungs as Xanthe gasped, the packs' unusual weight, the brisk run, the approaching yaks, all this shooting adrenaline through her body and making her quiver in place. But she couldn't go forward, for Gypsy had stopped, and as Luminista slid to a halt at her rear, the kore suddenly felt very boxed it. It didn't help that all around them rock rose in sheer walls, jutting endlessly skyward, and before them the path was blocked by the perilous swell of fallen rocks. Panic bit her, and she fought the urge to reel, only because her sensible brain explained there wasn't anywhere to go. That insight really didn't make her feel any better, and she squeezed her eyes shut, pressing her face against the unicorn in front of her. "Wanna go, Gyspy - please let's go!"
Gypsy hardly registered the kore at her side, her mind reaching up and across the tumble of rocks, searching with mind's eye for any possible alternative. Gypsy was Kalidore's traveler, and her gift was seek the trail, but even she would need a moment or two to get her bearings in these unfamiliar parts. And time wasn't with them - spilling away and down the slope towards them in the form of a mindless stamped. The narrow pass had bought them a few minutes, but these were quickly being eaten as behind her she saw the others arriving and pressing thick into each other, and with that all option of turning quickly and retreating were gone.
She felt Xanthe prod her again, and she turned to lip the kore in distraction. "We will, sweetling, just a minute..." she whispered, catching her companion's eyes as she did. The woman's face was tight and ashen, and Gypsy resisted their mind touch only because she wasn't sure what comfort she could offer now. The sun sunk behind the edge of the cliff, and they were plunged into shadows...
No, wait... The sun surely couldn't sink that fast, but the shadows lingered, and it seemed for Gypsy that in the moment time had suddenly become very slow. She turned to the others but without seeing them, her mind open and trialing across all of Kalidore and as it passed the images flew before her eyes in motion pictures. Time became tangled; suddenly she was seeing the mountains as they stood centuries ago, the stars shifting and turning in and out of place....
The night was cold and lit with unearthly fire that spun across the dragon's brow. It ends here, he spoke and his voice cut deep, challenging the night to disagree. Never! it answered, and suddenly she realized the night had shape and form, glinting eyes and spiraled horn. The dragon seemed to consider, furious and seething, and the silence was terrible. Very well, he spoke again. Then it will not end... and above them the heavens, torn and broken began to cry...
Gypsy blinked. She was back in herself and with the others, the thunder of valley pounding in her ears, but the shadow was still filling whole of her view. And then she realized it wasn't a shadow at all, it had glinting eyes and spiralled horn...
"This way," he spoke.
She nodded. He was standing on crop of rocks and turned, marking a path through the angled debris. She lunged forward after him, the movement so sudden and precise it almost upset her rider, who grasped thickly into trailing bronze-coloured mane. Hooves found placehold, one after the other, and up they went. "Follow carefully! Move quickly!" her voice rang out over the herd. Behind her she saw Xanthe was already following and the others were falling into queue. As she turned her gaze forward, the black shadow was already disappearing over the crest. "Ulysses - wait - they can't–"
"No time!" he cried.
The yaks had flooded the valley.
|
|
|
Post by silentmoon on Oct 17, 2009 16:43:02 GMT -5
Ali could feel her back go rigid with each of Aerion's strides. She risked a glance back, seeing a few unicorns racing up ahead to the rest in the front. Then there were the colorful yaks. Tons of them, huge furry creatures she thought were serene animals... well, that is, that was sometime before they were stampeding after them all.
The girl shook her head, this couldn't be right. Where on Kalidore was Fiera? Tia's reassurance was barely audible through the wind whistling passed their ears. Ali didn't know what to make of it. All she could do was nod vigorously and project back, "I'm hoping so! But- where are we going exactly?!"
But what if she's not? Ali worried, loosening her grip on Tia slightly. Her eyes blanched off towards the guardians, then her eyes fell on Gypsy who seemed to be a bit farther ahead. Something like a dark shadow glided passed. Ali couldn't make out what is was, or if it was another unicorn. Then again, she rarely ever saw shadowy unicorns, but there was always time for firsts.
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Oct 18, 2009 8:16:04 GMT -5
Gypsy had made it to the top of the crest as Ulysses disappeared over the other side. She stopped at the top once she was able to find a foothold and turned to see that the others were following safely. Xanthe had reached the top and was standing next to her but there was no room for anyone else unless they continued on the path. We must go,Lilaini urged, and with a bob of her head, the bronze mare accented and quickly turned to scramble after the dark stallion who was already nearly to the bottom on the other side. Expertly, she picked her way down the rock pile finding the path Ulysses had taken. Her rider did not speak further, but leaned back and waited until her companion found her way to the bottom. They paused only briefly to ensure Xanthe’s hooves found the bottom as well, and to see that the others were filing down behind before Gypsy went rocketing after the stallion. Her hooves flew across the earth but she was not able to make up much of the distance that now stood between the two of them. Flattening out, she pushed herself harder, a desire to catch up with him was momentarily overwhelming, but a concerned thought from her rider touched her mind and her pace slacked slightly. The other can not keep up, we are getting too far from them. Instead, Gypsy reached out to the stallion with her mind. Ulysses! you must slow down, the others cannot match this pace.
|
|
|
Post by geob on Oct 18, 2009 14:17:50 GMT -5
Luminista had her attention split between her footing and her rider. She was worried Tiponi would have trouble keeping her seat over this rough terrain and worried that her worrying would distract her too much from the terrain causing her to stumble. It was a vicious cycle and was costing her speed which was also desperately needed. In the back of her mind she noted the growing space between herself and Xanthe as well as the ones behind her pushing forward.
"I'm fine." So absorbed in her worries, Luminista started at the words. "Just go. I promise to let you know if I have problems," Tiponi assured her. The girl was nervous about the uncertain terrain and the pace, but she also recognized the need for speed. Her hands tangled in the red mane she clung to the mare with her strong legs, using muscles in a way they were unaccustomed to being used, but so far they were holding up nicely. Reassured by both the spoken words and the sense of confidence she detected, Luminista lengthened her stride.
Tien Mu's worries leaned more to the jostling bodies about her. She was nervous about those crowding behind and about causing nervousness in those she was compelled to crowd. Her rider seemed to be clinging with quiet confidence.
Casting a quick look behind at the over-burdened stallion Foehn Miri wondered if there was any way she could possibly help. The different skill levels of the three riders was noticeable, but there was no time to stop and shuffle riders around. The extra weight combined with the terrain had to be wearing on Arieon. Her estimation of the stallion had gone way up watching him handle this crisis. He was jumping into the necessary role with all four hoofs and doing a very impressive job. I will be happy to take some of your burden if and/or when the opportunity arrises, she sent to the stallion.
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Oct 19, 2009 21:35:50 GMT -5
The herd had stuttered momentarily until the arrival of Ulysses had gotten everyone moving again, but from the back the black stallions arrival went unnoticed by the stallion driving at the back. Arieon cast concerned glances both in front and behind him, watching as each unicorn scrambled over the rubble, and determining the distance between his hind end and the nearest yak. Prancing back and forth, encouraging and motivating those in front of him, the cremello stallion managed to get nearly everyone in front of him over the pile of rubble. He followed Foehn Miri who was at this point just making her assent of the rockpile when she spoke to him. Despite the situation, he managed a small smirk in her direction and nipped her on the rump to get her moving. The two on the back are hardly even noticeable, he answered truthfully, but he did think perhaps three riders was more than necessary except in such extreme circumstances. Not that he would say that to any mare of course. As the mare scrambled ahead of him, Arieon cautioned his riders, hang on tight, it’s going to be hard to get footing, before beginning to pick his way up the pile of rocks.
Tia heard Alishouting something back to her, but the words were lost on the wind. The pace thankfully slowed as they waited their turn to clamour over the rocks, but the longer this took, the closer the yaks managed to get. So in spite of her earlier reservations of riding, she was thinking it was preferable to being trampled by the colourful beasts behind them, and wished the pace would pick up again. In the next instance she wished she could swallow that thought as Arieon warned them to hang on even tighter.
“Ali! You need to hang on tighter, not looser!” she nearly shrieked when she felt the girls arms loosen around her. Tightening her own grip, she wondered if she was hurting the man in front of her, she felt sure that once (or if) they got out of this mess, they were going to have to pry her arms off of him. Her arms were sore from the effort, but terror seemed to have them locked into place and she wasn’t sure how she was going to get them out of that position. Well perhaps, i’ll worry about that if and when we get outta here, she thought to herself before all her concentration was torn away to ensure she did not slide off the side of the pale stallion.
|
|