[Brightsmile Herd] Getting on His High Horse (Solo)

[Vanator]

Timestamp: 25th Day of Summer, 511 AV Location: Brightsmile Herds Purpose: Bond with a Strider Status: Closed Bremen lead Vanator out into the open grazing land where the Brightsmile Striders dotted the grassland. Van's brother-in-law had offered to let him search the herd for a suitable mount, since the Denusk had yet to find a Strider to replace Backlash. Kashik's brother clapped Vanator on the back and encouraged him to survey the herd. "Luck with you brother, and be careful, some of those stallions are very strong willed." For nearly a bell, the Denusk walked around the herd, inspecting the striders, and allowing them to observe him. He approached several mares. A finely conformed dun seemed to follow him, but when he approached her, she was skittish. He could not afford skittish. Several attempts to examine mares were blocked by a large palomino stallion. His chest was broad for a strider, his conformation exquisite. But his attitude was confrontational, and the horse had no qualms about closing in on Vanator, even thumping him with a muscled shoulder once while passing by. The Drykas made way for the stud several times, but became frustrated as the palomino eventually thwarted his every attempt to connect with another strider. "A possessive one aren't you?" Van barked at the horse in frustration. He neared the strider and shoved on its rippling shoulder. Of course it was a vain move, he could not budge the animal, but it was a statement from one dominant male to another. The man would never find a strider to bond with if this arrogant beast did not leave him be. Depsite his best efforts, the palomino persisted, until the stallion became more aggressive, charging at him and feinting, throwing his head, whinnying and snorting. Vanator's irritation bloomed, until in a fit of indignation he planted his feet firmly on the ground. While he quickly skirted the stallion's other taunting charges, this one the drykas faced with a grim face. He was not a fool, he knew the large horse could easily trample him. But, this time, he would not back down until the last minute. The thunder of the palomino's hooves rose over the noise of the herd as he bore down on the drykas man. Vanator clenched his fists, his knees bent slightly in preparation to leap aside. The strider drew closer. Van, steeling his nerves, would not show fear. The charging beast finally loomed over him as Vanator lunged aside...too late. His pride keeping him from moving in time, the animal's broad chest caught him on the shoulder as he jumped aside. The drykas was spun around and flung away to land on his back with a breath-stealing thud in the grass. A feeble gasp slipped out of his throat as the air was blown from his lungs, unable to fill them again. Straining to inhale, immobile on the ground, Vanator stared into the cloudless sky. Suddenly...the head of the palomino hung over him, looking down. It snorted, flecks of its mucous falling onto the man's face. Then a large hoof appeared, raised and hovering over his chest. The horseman's eyed grew wide. This was not a horse, it was a demon. The thing was going to crush his chest right there as he lay helpless. The hoof came down, but instead of a smashing blow and the feel of his ribs cracking and puncturing his vital organs, it descended upon his sternum with a solid but controlled thump. Instantly Vanator's lungs expanded, filling with air as a loud gasps escaped his lips.

[Vanator]

Still staring up from the ground, Vanator saw the strider's great head shake and, with apparent indifference, disappeared from view. He propped himself up on his elbows, acutely feeling the stiffness of the muscles along his spine, tightening from the harsh impact with the ground. With a groan the horseman stood to his feet, a curious eye turning to the palomino. The Strider stood a ways off, seemingly uninterested, emphasized by a dismissive nicker. Vanator put his hands on his hips. The stallion had a personality, a strong one indeed. A drykas animal without a doubt. The animal knew what it was doing, taunting Vanator, and, as the Denusk came to realize, testing the man. With caution, Van stepped closer to the blonde-maned strider. Raising a careful hand, the man reached to place his hand on the horse's withers. The palomino snorted and swung his head around, as if to snap at Vanator. With an instinctual indignant reaction, Van's hand closed into a fist and raised before the stallion's face. Of course, Van would not have struck the beautiful animal, besides, even the strength of the hearty man would do little to harm the full-grown strider. It was an indication that the man would not be intimidated by the proud horse. The palomino closed his lips over bared broad teeth, but his eyes did not leave the drykas. Van continued to reach until his palm settled on the animal's hide. He could feel the power of firm muscle beneath the strider's light summer fur. The stallion snorted again, as if to insist the contact did not linger. Respectfully, Vanator lowered his hand. The man moved to the horses head, and around the other side, examining the beast for injury, flaw or blemish. The strider, in like fashion, began to move around the human, until they were circling each other in a bizarre dance. Finally Vanator stopped. His gaze met the large, brown eye of the strider, the horse staring back as intently. Then, still locked in the glance, Vanator reached slowly towards the stallion's mane, getting a fistful in his left hand. Then, his right hand came to rest on the animal's back. The palomino shifted, as if hesitant, but then stilled. The drykas then, with a leap, launched himself up onto the strider's back. Immediately the stallion took off at full gallop, before Vanator could get his legs wrapped around his barrel and his hands in the horse's mane. The drykas bounced mercilessly on the strider's back desperately clinging to the light mane. With a small buck, the strider sent Vanator's rear into the air, and the man lost his balance, both legs slipping off the same side of the horse. Van would not relent, gripping the palomino's mane in both hands, trying to stay on with one leg draped over the horse's croup, hanging off the side of the racing horse, its powerful legs pounding the earth so close to his head. He growled, arms and hands aching. The leg wrapped up over the strider's back slipped, and both of Vanator's feet hit the ground, the man now being dragged through the grass, still clinging to the stallion's mane. The drykas' feet danced, trying to avoid having his legs crushed by the large rear hooves. One hand slipped from the mane, and with a gasp Vanator felt himself slip closer to the ground speeding by. His jaw hurt from his gritting teeth, his skin stung by the blades of long grass whipping by, the muscles in his arm beginning to quiver and twitch. Another moment or two and he would not be able to hold on any longer. Finally, the strider stallion came to an abrupt halt. Van crumpled into the grass, panting, wincing in pain, again, looking up at the noble horse. The drykas groaned deeply, rolling over onto his hands and knees, and then struggling to his feet. He was covered in grass seed, scratches and dirt. Then, an unexpected smile crossed the horseman's face. "You couldn't shake me...could you?" He teased the animal. The strider stood watching the man, its breath barely labored, and not even a sheen of sweat on its hide. He was a magnificent creature, and would make a fine mount, if he would have the horseman. Vanator approached the stallion again, his hand raised to its muzzle. The animal lifted it's head haughtily, eyes on the human, before tilting it back down and allowing Vanator to caress his nose. "What do you say? Want to be the second Brightsmile to join the Denusk herd?"

[Vanator]

The stallion seemed to stare at the drykas, strands of its pale blonde forelock hanging over his eye, fluttering as he blinked. The strider held still for a moment, then, in a sudden burst of energy, launched off at a full gallop, its hooves kicking up turf as it lunged forward. Vanator's gaze followed the palomino, not understanding the intent of the horse. Had he just been toying with the horseman? The animal's personality was strong, without a doubt. But the Denusk was not going to let the beast slip away. Breaking into a full run, Vanator moved in a course to intercept the strider, who circled the herd. The man cut a path in front of the stallion, planting his feet and resting his hands on his hips. The horse raced towards him, hooves thundering against the ground. He pulled up short of the stubborn man, rearing and kicking its forelegs, whinnying and snorting loudly. Inside, Vanator trembled, the sting of cuts and bruises still felt from his tangle with this noble horse. But he stood his ground, staring defiantly at the demonstrative strider. After a moment of his bravado, the palomino settled, sniffed a few huffs at Vanator, then walked up until his barrel was next to the man. Van again met the strider's gaze, which stared back unflinching. Again the man's hand gripped the mane, and vaulted onto the striders back. This time, the male simply began a slow trot towards the edge of the herd, where Bremen Brightsmile had appeared. Coming to a halt before his brother-in-law, Vanator slid from the horse's back to land on his feet before Bremen, battered, bloodied and covered in dirt and grass stains. The stallion walked a leisurely few paces away, and began to graze. "No. Not him, he is our finest stud!" Bremen complained in disbelief. Vanator gave his friend a broad grin. "Not my choice...his." He quipped, his head nodding towards the palomino. "You cannot argue with a strider. I am sure father will agree to allow one of ours to join your herd." The Denusk smile could not be diminished. "I now have the Brightsmile's finest filly and your finest stallion!" He joked, referring to both the strider and Kashik. With a clap on the back, Vanator bid his brother-in-law farewell, walking off with the buff stallion strider at his side.

[Lariat]

Vanator

Experience:

Observation: 2 xp
Horsemanship: 1 xp
Riding (Horse): 3 xp


Lores:

Looking for a bond
Rebuke by the stubborn
A battle of wills with a strider
Almost falling off a galloping horse
Playing chicken with a strong willed strider
Catching the finest of the herd
Bonding with your second strider

Comments
Another great thread Van, I always enjoy reading your writing. If you have any questions just send me a pm!