Yvonne - 2000-02-18
he birds were beginning their sleepy morning calls as Diana finished attaching her brother's small pack and weaponry to the second of the two mounts that they had been gifted with. She would have let a stable boy attend to it for the horse's sake, as it stood shivering and breaking out into a nervous sweat with her so close to it's unprotected flank. With nowhere to run. The scent of it's fear was very distracting.
But neither the absent Deran nor his very present sister Diana wanted wruria handling their posessions, few that they were. Their leathers, although designed and fitted specifically for them, were soft and supple and would fetch a good price at market for anyone foolish enough to try to steal them, and although Diana wore her weaponry openly, Deran was in no shape to carry his own.
Finishing with the horse she gave it's reins to a wide-eyed stableboy before stalking outside to peer into the courtyard. The horses and packs were ready, so where was Adriana and her Felara? She had made it *quite* clear that they were to make an early start, and this was no longer early. And would Lucien come along to say goodbye? Smiling she licked her lips but didn't let that thought travel any further. Although she had tried, that rabbit had escaped her.
Snapping about on her heel and making one of the horses shy in fright she grabbed the nearest human child and growled softly, "Get the Lady Adriana. I said we were to leave early, and she is not here yet. I do not appreciate being kept waiting."
The child squirmed greatfully out of reach as soon as she let go of his tunic, scuttling over to pick up the hoof pick he had dropped when she'd first touched him. "Yes'm. But ... y'can't order a lady, ma'am." Diana narrowed her eyes and the child started figiting nervously. "But I'll go see."
He ran off towards the relative safety of the house like there was a hunter at his back. Which there was, but really!
Sighing impatiently Diana turned towards the woods, raising her nose to the wind and catching Deran's faint scent as it floated by on the breeze. At least *he* didn't have to wait in a boring courtyard.
Laura - 2000-02-20
zari woke early. Her eyes were barely open as she had met with her parents in full excitement. Her parents were taking more interest in her excitement but were a bit apprehensive. " Are you sure you don't need your father to go with you to get your supplies?" Azari's mother asked.
Azari thought for a moment, knowing that although she had always told herself she was happy to be without their attention, she was now faintly pleased to have it. " I wouldn't mind if father wanted to come with me." She said lightheartedly.
"Your father knows many reputable people and I think it's really best that he should come along. We both want to make sure that you are set well before you leave Torrigan" Azari and her mother hugged tightly.
"There'll be holidays and you can come stay with us." Her mother whispered with tears in her eyes. Saying good bye was very hard.
The weeks passed too quickly. Azari passed from Inn to Inn heading back from Islia with her father. Every morning she awoke with an uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach. The future loomed before her, unfamiliar and alarming. She had lived too long under her parents' roof. She wanted change as much as she hated change.
Azari and her father bought various items from local merchants of Tyr. Now it was time to find a horse.
They ventured through the outskirts of Tyr and found a small horse keeper with a few horses for sale. Azari noticed the large basins of water for watering horses looked bone dry. Glancing around the lot, she noticed an soggy old barn filled with moldy hay. "I don't like the looks of this place, father. It appears he has not taken care of his horses" Azari's voice filling with anger, "Who'd buy anything from this hell hole?"
"Maybe he is not using this land for feeding and watering horses any longer. I think before you judge, you should ask more questions first." Clefton's eyes filled with reassurance and his voice calm. They were walking closer to where the horse keeper was standing.
The horse keeper was not expecting anyone and became startled by their approach. " Oh-you scared the begeebies out of me! A little warning would have been helpful, you know..a "hey" or something" It was obvious he was a little perturbed but warmed up with a smile. "What can I do for you".
"We're here to look at your horses. Do you still have any for sale?"
" Yes as a matter of fact, I do! There is only one left. I had been debating if I should sell her or not. She is a beaut and no regular beaut at that. I have never seen one so strong and so beautiful; why I think she is worth a lot more than what I think I can sell her for in these parts of town."
Up on top of the hill, over looked a rich and luxurious valley filled with glistening tree tops, river valleys and beautiful colors of fall. The horse was gazing in a tall grassy prairie 1000 feet from where they were standing. The hair of the horse waving in the wind. Sun beating on her rich black nape. She looked feisty and very perky.
"She is beautiful. I am amazed she would be this friendly to a stranger." Azari mumbled to her father.
" See! I told you she was a beaut. Now, I am a bit surprised she would come up this close to the gate; normally she waits until she thinks I have food to fee her. Here I'll give you a carrot, you can give it to her." The horseman anxious to show her off pulled a carrot out of the pocket of his jacket.
The horse's snout moved upward as it shook it's head. Kicking the ground with it's hooves, grunting a bit. The horse suddenly looked up with it's nostril's following the direction of where it cold pick up the scent of food. Azari was standing very close. Her movements very gentle. Almost whispering "Thhhhere you go" she reached up to let the horse smell the carrot and take it in its mouth. Azari took her hand to pet the top of the horses coat. Azari and the horse stood relaxed and contented.
Clefton wanted to talk to the horse keeper alone for a few moments. "Azari I will be right back. You get yourself aquatinted, and I will discuss business. I will be right back."
The horse keeper hesitated for a brief moment, even though he knew Clefton's intentions were good, " I want to go in the house and get the saddle of her. I'd like to see if she knows how to ride and what to do if Jetta, the horse takes off too soon". He turned around and went up into the house.
Clefton was patiently waiting. He had a few moments of silence to watch his daughter deal with her first horse. " Azari before we leave I will be sure to give you any help I can to make sure you have control over her."
The horse keeper came out of the house. Clefton could see him mumbling something but the wind was so sharp you could not hear a word he uttered.
" Because this is the last horse I have, I would like to sell her for ten platinum. I know that's a bit high, but once you see how graceful she is and how she rides perhaps you could make me your best offer." The horsemen looked intent into Clefton's eyes.
Clefton smiled and laughed a bit waving to Azari. " Come on, let's go see what Jetta can do."
Amber - 2000-02-24
estri turned from her watch over the strangers to Talos. "Get Karfi and tell her to take my watch. I must find Jenra. She shall be *so* glad to know she is not alone.." She smiled and then paused. "But.. I will wait till they have gone to find her.." Talos smiled.
"I agree. I might need you. Karfi?" The young Elf's head popped out from above them and she dropped to the branch in front of them.
"Karfi go find Sakko and tell him to get a legion ready. Tell him about the strangers." Karfi nodded, with a bird like trill of affirmal, and then disappeared back into the underbrush. Kestri and Talos turned back to their vigil..
Amber - 2000-02-24
"et's go.." Selene said weakly, rising to her feet to the sound of another hound's bay. She took a deep breath, regaining control of her emotions. She was royalty. There was no way in her father's court she was going to be seen blubbering like a baby!
She raised her head and regarded the Felana carefully, thinking a moment about her reaction, and what her own reaction should be. But the Felana seemed very sincere, and Selene smiled.
"Thank you.. but.." She paused. "Star will be alright." She continued carefully. "He will return to his stable and will be none the worse for his trials." She hoped that didn't give away *too* much of her past...
She looked up again as the sound of the hounds filled her ears. "DAMMIT!" she burst out, wiping the last of the tears from her face. "Why'd he have to bring out the DOGS?" She stomped her foot angrily, and then suddenly remember once again where she was.
"Ah.. " She looked at Tiel and Trevor. "Let us go." She said with an easy smile, hoping it covered up her nervousness. She regarded Trevor's horse, and waited for him to swing aboard before climbing up in front of him, gripping the saddle horn tightly.
She glanced at Tiel. "Terithiel.. um. Tiel.. will you join us?" She genuinely liked the Felana. Smiling, she looked up at Trevor. "Ready."
Copyright (c) 1999-2000 Abigail Laughlin and the members of the Circle of Stone.