Flashback A Discussion on Striders (Aidus)

[Jez Firetongue]

Jez Firetongue 16th of Summer, 509 AV ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ It was late afternoon, the summer sun slowly falling as the temperature began to drop slightly. It was still bright, as it would be for a few hours, but luckily the eighteen year old riding across the fresh grass had slept in and missed the torturous heat of midday. The teen wore no shirt, a few beads of sweat slipping down his spine as the sun bore down on him. The skin of his back had dark brown windmarkings, starting with a small spot on his left shoulder and trailing down his spine in a thin and twisting tribal pattern that ended just above his tailbone. These markings were the reason for his lack of shirt, though he wasn’t worried about showing off his well built torso. The boy’s name was Jez Firetongue of the Amethyst Clan, and as he had finally become a fully fledged member he was proud to display the marks that showed it. The aloft spirit had come across his Strider by accident, only last season. The fiery creature was being kept on the other side of Endrykas from where his own pavilion was situated. Jez had gone out exploring, a past time he loved as the moving city was always changing. In fact if he wasn’t so loyally tied to his blood relations he’d have left Endrykas altogether by now, ready to see new sights that he’d only heard about as a child. Jez had investigated a ruckus, the sound of clattering and yelling, just as many around him had done. Blocked from view by a collection of large tents, a little ways from where he’d been browsing fresh linen as a present for his younger sister there was a collection of fine horses, well bred. They were expensive and of a variety of coat styles, well trained and finely proportioned. The stable hands had been wrestling with a young stallion, fresh out of being a colt. His eyes burnt with passion, dun coat brightened under the spring sky. The flowing black mane was a stark contrast and four even, black socks outlined the muscles on his legs. He thrashed, hardly contained by the ropes around his neck, as the stable hands attempted to haul him back to the stand he had evidently escaped from being tied to. Jez had been watching the commotion when the young Strider had swung its impressive head around so face him, their eyes meeting. Almost immediately the animal had mostly calmed, legs raised in a rear falling to the ground and tail swishing once. His ears were alert, eyes wide with passion, but he had stilled. Refusing to be removed from his position, there was soon an agreement met by Jez and the owners. The stallion had been devalued due to his untameable nature and luckily the teen could afford the fine creature at the newly lowered price. Currently Jez sat atop the stallion, taking him out beyond the borders of Endrykas. He was still getting used to the bond he shared with Wind, the one who had chosen him, and riding often was strengthening their relationship. He laughed out loud, stretching his arms out as the stallion sped up in swift movements over the grass. A wide grin on his face, he reached down to pat Wind’s neck. “Easy there boy,” he spoke strongly but calmly, “Let’s take a break.” He slid from the stallion’s back as they came to a stop, one hand remaining on the horse’s mane. He was still not fully trusting that the wild spirit would stick beside him, though with each day that was growing less of a problem. He locked eyes with the stallion, stepping around to stand in front of him, and patted his face softly. They stood there for a while, revelling in the calmness that had overcome them. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ||Jez Firetongue|| ||21 years (18 in flashback)|| ||Drykas|| ||Amethyst Clan|| ||Strider-Wind||

[Aidus]

Bonding with Moyi had done much to change his outlook on everything. Aidus had discovered a new found appreciation for not only the magnificent striders which the Drykas proudly rode, but for the webbing which tied steed, rider, pavilion, and people together into one giant community. Moyi's tie to the webbing only furthered the Moondirge heir's desire to strengthen his, and as such, he'd left the tent city to further his understanding of not only himself, but his mount and the magic which linked all. A bells ride away from the outskirts of the tent city, Aidus sat cross legged on the ground, his back resting against a laying Moyi. Her dark, intelligent eyes scanned the sea for signs of disturbance while Aidus worked. Taking a deep breath, as he always did before walking, the dark haired Drykas searched deep within himself to touch his Djed and begin the exhilarating separation. Inch by inch his ethereal body left his physical one, the latter quickly becoming nothing more than a shell. The lines of webbing went from a faint glow to a bright light as Aidus let himself float freely. Slowly, fluidly, he moved his hands, allowing the strands of webbing to wrap around his hands, gradually engulfing his entire body as his mind wandered, taking in the sights around him. Tapping into the information the webbing stored, he could tell that but half a bell prior a small group of Zibri had crossed through here, and after them was a vicious grasslands cat, stalking its prey. A calf had fallen, though the rest got a way as he felt their presence across many of the lay lines. The lioness triumphantly returned her catch to her pride where they would feast. The amazing things one could view on the web. The line which interested Aidus the most, however, was the one between him and Moyi. It was new, small, and weak, but it was there. He gently raised it with his finger, the shiny silk like thread draping over it, the emotion and connection rushing through the young Drykas man. They were one, but the bond could be strengthen, so he would work. Flowing from him like yarn from a spool, he took the strands and began to weave them into the existing bond, working diligently, but his progress was extremely slow. He was still only tapping into the mysteries which the great Drykas web held, and as such, his efforts always expended much effort and yielded few results. Still, as the strands intertwined, mixing the old with the new, he knew it would only get easier with time. Distracting Aidus from his work, however, was the approach of one towards where he sat. Letting himself separate from the strings tying him to Moyi, he again turned his focus outwards. Another strider and it's rider. Drykas. Friendly. But still, he would be on top of him at the pace direction of his travel. So easing himself slowly back into his physical body, bit by bit, Aidus would prepare to greet the wandering clansmen should he need to be. He was always loathe to leave the web, but for now, he had little choice. Once he felt at one with his self, Aidus stood watching in the distance for the rider. As he approached, the dark haired teen offered a wave of respect at his windmarked brethren and his mount.

[Jez Firetongue]

Jez Firetongue ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ A calm serenity came to rest over the teenage Drykas as he stood before his mighty strider, eyes locked in a sort of secret communication that only the two would ever be involved in. Their bond was very weak, still in the first few stages of a building up of trust that would eventually lead to a life long connection between the two souls. For now Jez felt content to learn about his strider, proud to have been finally granted the privilege of having an affinity to one of the noble horses. Striders were one of the core foundations of their society, one you were only truly a part of after having been accepted by the horses. The moment only lasted a short while before Jez broke eye contact, looking back towards Endrykas. It was growing later, shadows cast across the grasslands growing longer, and he knew that he should return to aid his pavilion in their duties before night. He had also to pay his respects to the gods and goddesses. He had only recently begun paying attention to information about them, having always been respectful but never interested. Since bonding with Wind the teenager had felt a greater respect for the deities, beginning to understand the connection between all manners of life. Jez had begun to listen to all the histories of the deities, a desire to be closer to them growing within him. Caiyha, goddess of nature, he felt a particular pull towards. Her values of a balance within all of nature appealed to him. With a slight sigh, but a smile nonetheless, Jez patted Wind’s strong jaw as he placed a hand on the yvas around the stallion and quickly mounted. He clicked his tongue, tightening his legs around Wind as he did so, in a subtle signal to move the horse forwards. They trotted forwards, the gait barely collected and showing the strider’s fight between a desire to dart forwards and to listen to his rider. As they approached the moving tent city, Jez caught sight of a figure and his mount in the distance. Their direction changed slightly to coincide with the stranger as a wave of greeting was given by the clansman. Another slight nudge and the pace shifted to steady canter, Wind occasionally lifting his legs a little to high in enjoyment of the faster speed. Upon reaching the other male, a teen around his own age, Jez circled Wind in a highly sprung trot in a half circle around them. The movement was done to calm the stallion down as much as for allowing Jez to get a look at the stranger. Wind’s spirits were lifted further by the sight of another strider and he snorted, tail lashing and hooves stamping as though displaying himself to the mare as his rider dismounted. Jez didn’t recognise the fellow Drykas, assuming he was from another clan; the clans didn’t interact much bar during large events. “Hey,” he grinned, lifting his hand in greeting, “I wasn’t expecting to see a kinsman out here so late.” He studied the other, trying to decide what his personality would be by his looks, but not succeeding. He glanced to the other teen’s magnificent mount. Though he’d seen plenty of striders, they were often on the move with their Drykas or a distance from him. In fact, his family’s steeds were the only ones he came into contact with often and the feistier ones, especially Kai’s, hadn’t stayed around him very often. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ||Jez Firetongue|| ||21 years (18 in flashback)|| ||Drykas|| ||Amethyst Clan|| ||Strider-Wind||

[Aidus]

A slight look of shock crossed the teenage Drykas' face when his new companion regarded the time of day. Syna had crossed the sky, soon to give away to her sweet Leth. The horizon looked magnificent, red and purple combining in a slow waterfall of beauty. How had it come to be so late? "Greetings," he said in reply, giving the approaching man a look over. "I hadn't realized it was so late. It's so simple to lose one's self in the webbing. I fear I walked a bit too much today." It was an ever present danger for a webwalker. The temptation would be enough that some would never return. Moyi snorted and slowly worked her way back up to standing to see who was intruding on her nap. She could be somewhat worthless at guarding him, but Aidus hadn't returned completely to the web on account of her letting something get at him, so she was doing enough right. He patted Moyi's side as he rested against her, looking up at the rider. "What brings you out here? I'm just as surprised." He paused for a moment, giving him a chance to reply before introducing himself. "I am Aidus Moondirge, of the Sapphire Clan." He couldn't place where this man would be from. Some would have a clue of a sort on their person, but he hadn't the slightest guess. They would have maybe half of a bell before Syna would dip behind the far edges of Semele, leaving them for a short while of her beaming light. Then Leth would come. Aidus always felt a connection to this god of the moon, and found himself always more alert, more awake during the night hours. It wasn't upsetting for him to be out so late, though it was slightly troublesome that he had missed the whole day in the way he had. "And this is my Strider, Moyi. I enjoy the night. When Leth comes into view, it's certainly a beautiful sight."

[Jez Firetongue]

Jez Firetongue ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Jez listened as the other spoke of webwalking, specialty of the Drykas. He himself had never delved too much into it. He would perhaps, one day, yet as he had only recently become interested in studying there was far too much available to learn and far too little time in the present to cram in all in. He replied with a grin, his expression open and inviting for he was always seeking to make new acquaintances. “Webwalking, huh,” his voice had a loud quality to it, “I’ve never really given it a go myself.” The teen looked down as the other spoke, eyes drifting to the mare he leant against. She was beautiful, as were all striders, and admiration showed in his eyes. He returned his attention to the stranger after being asked a question and gave a simple response. “I felt like taking Wind out for a bit.” He patted said stallion as his mighty head tossed and another snort came from the creature, accompanied by a stamp of one of his front hooves. “He gets awfully restless, especially if nobody’s paying attention to him.” As Jez had guessed, the next response proved the other wasn’t from the same clan as himself. He wasn’t adverse to speaking with the other clans, rather he enjoyed learning new facts from them, yet problems within his own kin kept him from speaking with any strangers a lot of the time. “I’m Jez Firetongue, of the Amethyst Clan,” was his response to the other male, who he now knew as Aidus. The fact that Aidus had been connected to the web wasn’t so surprising now that he knew the other was a member of the Sapphire Clan. He looked up to the sky as if only truly noticing now how late it was getting. “It would be a bad idea to stay out here much longer,” he mused to himself, “We’re not far from Endrykas much night is harder to navigate.” He looked back to the mare on the floor after Aidus introduced her as Moyi, admiring her once again. The only strider mare he had frequent contact with was his sister’s feisty creature that seemed to have a vendetta against him. The thought made Jez chuckle out loud. The teen sat in the grass opposite Aidus, feeling slightly awkward stood looking down at him. Wind automatically moved to stand behind him, though he shifted frequently and whinnied every now and then to show annoyance at their staying still. “She’s certainly a beautiful mare,” his voice was full of praise for the horse, “How long have the two of you been bonded?” ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ||Jez Firetongue|| ||21 years (18 in flashback)|| ||Drykas|| ||Amethyst Clan|| ||Strider-Wind||

[Aidus]

Aidus hadn't met one who regarded the web so..casually. Chuckling, he replied carefully. "Brother, the web isn't something which someone simply...tries out. I hope you can experience it someday. At times it is better than this life out here, I must admit." He seemed a friendly enough fellow, and plenty interested in his strider. He held his question as to his purpose for wandering outside alone line this, but it was always of some curiosity to the teenager why anyone would choose to get out of safety of Endrykas. Aidus had his webbing, and Aidus had his bones. What was this man's purpose? "Wind is a beautiful mount. I assume by your marks you've bonded?" His praise was more reserved compared to his fellow rider. Not out of any less respect, but of personality. Boisterous was not a trait of his. Truthfully, he was only a season bonded himself. A magical moment which all Drykas dream of. Moyi had been off on her own, ignoring the rest of her own when they met. Not an odd horse, but a loner, happiest when her and Aidus were left to their business. An annoyed snort voiced her displeasure. "There are all kinds, aren't there? Moyi is much the opposite. She'd prefer to be ignored entirely." On cue, the strider faced away from the newcomers. "Oh, come on, Moyi. Say hello." "I've many of the Amethyst Clan, but none of your pavilion. Well met, Jez." As the other Drykas spoke of the impending evening, Aidus joined him in viewing the sky. Zintila's gifts were breathtaking each time he took the time to really take them in, and with the sky as clear as it was, they would be able to truly view them in their splendor this evening. "Yes, I suppose you are correct. Perhaps we should begin to make our way back." He patted Moyi on her side before mounting, grasping her yvas tightly. "Moyi and I bonded last season. Don't call her beautiful, though. It's the one thing that makes her act arrogant." Moyi nickered in acknowledgement. "How about you and Wind?" Some bonded extremely young. Perhaps they had their own stories to share.

[Jez Firetongue]

Jez Firetongue ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Jez grinned at the look Aidus held as he spoke about the web. He knew how important it was to the Drykas, but had never had time to learn how to experience it. “I’ll have to trust your word on it,” the teen replied, “Perhaps in a couple of years when I’ve got a steady job, I’ll think about finding a teacher so I can learn more about webbing.” He had already been taught some basic magic, morphing, as a young child. However he’d rarely used it as his focus was more on the physical world. In time, perhaps, he’d dwell deeper into looking at magic. “Yes, we bonded last season,” he nodded, lifting his hand to pat Wind’s shoulder as he spoke of the stallion. He was proud of his wind marks, their thin pattern swirling from his left shoulder down the entire length of his spine. He had finally earned his place amongst the Drykas, and was able to call one of the fine Striders of Endrykas his partner. He laughed as Moyi turned away from them, nodding to Aidus’ comment. There were indeed many personalities, each horse having their own, much like the people who rode them. As if to confirm his own comment about Wind hating to be ignored, the mount snorted as the mare’s behaviour, stamping his hoof loudly against the ground and whinnying to try and attract her attention. The behaviour drew another laugh from the teen, who placed his hand back on the horse to calm his actions. He smiled and ducked his head in a small bow at the formal greeting, “We’re rather small compared to many pavilions, and most keep to themselves.” In truth, he was probably the most sociable of the family, a lot of them preferring to tend to the small herd owned by their pavilion over exploring the city. As the other mounted his mare, Jez too turned to grasp the yvas around Wind and pull himself over in a swift motion onto his back. “Wind and I also bonded last season,” the teen said with a laugh, “He was causing a lot of trouble as I was walking by, so I got him for a reasonable price. Things haven’t really changed; he’s a challenge to work with, but it keeps me busy. I actually bonded to him late for my pavilion; pretty much all of them had earned their windmarks before turning seventeen.” ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ||Jez Firetongue|| ||21 years (18 in flashback)|| ||Drykas|| ||Amethyst Clan|| ||Strider-Wind||

[Rufio]

C A T 'S G O T Y A G R A D E


xp

Observation +2
Riding: Horse +2
Socialization +3


lores

Jez: Adventurous & seeking
Wind: Wild & restless
Jez: Respectful of the gods
Caiyha: Goddess of flora & fauna
Jez: Feels an affinity with Caiyha
Riding: Mounting using the yvas
Riding: Clicking tongue & tightening legs to signal ‘forward’
Webbing: A magic specialty of the Drykas
Sapphire Clan: Are well known for Webbers
Firetongue: Small & reserved pavilion

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