Flashback Amidst the Trees

[Khal'iah]

The Akalak had to admit, he was quite impressed on the command the woman had over her faithful steed. With a mere flick of her finger, she sent the beast stepping back several feet; though he did show her his arse promptly after. In light of this, the violet-skinned warrior felt a touch more comfortable and took a single step forward. As he moved, he hearkend to her words, nodding silently before he opened his mouth to respond. "Well, it sounds like there is quite the adventurous spirit prevalent within the both of you. I'm sure that you'll find many great comforts within Riverfall." With that said, Khal'iah watched as the woman elevated her hand to rub her eyes, then as she took a deep breath. He didn't regard it as much at first, thinking that she had probably gotten a speck of dirt in her eyes. Yet when Ryzan made his approach over, forsaking his stubbornness in order to make sounds that were obviously borne of worry, the Akalak had to be certain that she was alright. He took a brave series of steps forward, bracing himself should the horse decide to attempt an attack, and inquired simply. "Are you alright Zyah'suyakal? You seem...pained..."

[Zyah'suyakal Songbringer]

As she heard the male speak she simply shook her head, and it was true. With her blindness came the occasional headaches, and sometimes there were painful enough to disarm her for days without relief. She shuddered in her boots, and leaned heavily against Ryzan's warm body, he easily held up her weight. He shuddered as well, a shiver rippling o=through his massive frame. He then whinnied and turned large brown eyes to the Akalak. Worry filled the dark depths, as well as an almost sense of pleading for help. Zyah turned her unseeing gaze in the direction of the other, she spoke through clenched teeth, her discomfort evident in her tone. ''He won't do a thing to you, he is too worried about m. I am not alright, bloody damn headache, and at the worst of times too....'' Her voice trailed off as her brow began to become slick with sweat and her breathing became slight more labored as if she were breathing air that was too hot.

[Khal'iah]

'Well this certainly isn't good...' thought the Akalak to himself, pondering what could be the origin of the woman's extreme discomfort. Khal'iah had seen a fair share of headaches, and had felt several himself, but none had been as dehabilitating as the one which plagued the woman before him. By all means, he wanted to help the woman in any way he could, but he was far from being a medical expert...but fortunately enough, he was related to one! The realization went off like a sign from above. They were not too far out from the gates of Riverfall, and with Ryzan, Khal'iah would have no problem aiding Zyah'suyakal into the city. From there, he'd take her straight to his residence, where his mother, a Konti with an exceptional knack for medicine, could take a look at her. "Zyah'suyakal," he began, taking a careful step closer. Despite her words, he honestly did not trust the horse...even though it was obviously beyond concerned for its companion. "We're not too far from the city gates. If you can get on Ryzan, I could walk you in. My mother is a wonderful healer and can get you patched up in no time. What do you say?" With that said, all the Akalak could do was await the woman's response and hope that she was not stubborn enough to refuse expert medical care.

[Zyah'suyakal Songbringer]

As the Akalak spoke she could do little but nod. She shifted her weight from her Strider's side, and the turned to face him. With fluid grace, this came with years of experience she mounted the large horse. Ryzan was still as a statue, never even daring the attempt of shifting his weight as she mounted. Once settled on his back she leaned dangerously forward the kiss Ryzan's neck and whisper against his skin. ''My lovely Strider, good boy....Yo need to be nice.'' At her words the Strider let out a huff of annoyance and defeat, he could never deny his Rider anything. He took a few steps in the direction of the Akalak, and then tentatively leaned in to nuzzle at the warrior's clothes. He lipped at them as then lifted his head slightly higher so huge chocolate brown eyes bore into striking blue ones, his held a silent promise, dedication to his rider, and a challange that the Akalak would dare touch his beloved Rider. He huffed and then pressed his forehead against the Akalak's chest.

[Khal'iah]

At first, the violet-skinned warrior's heart nearly skipped a beat when he saw the woman lean dangerously close to the Strider's ear in order to whisper something. (To say the least, the Akalak worried, as one wrong move would result in her plummeting off of her mount!) This 'something' obviously calmed the beast down to some extent; and the Akalak relaxed when she settled back into her saddle in a safer position. When the Strider approached and nuzzled into Khal'iah's sternum, lipping at the fabrics of his tunic, his heart once more began to drum away with anxiety. Even though the Strider seemed placated, there was still a challenge prevalant within those chocolate eyes that bored directly into those of the Akalak. "Message received." he managed to say calmly, touching a shaky hand to the Strider's brow. He lingered there for a moment before reaching for the beast's reins. He hoped to all the gods that he would not get annihilated as he did so...but it would appear as though the Drykas' whisper had done the trick. Once the leather stands were within the Akalak's grasp, he turned on his heel and began to guide the beast down the path towards Riverfall. There was an urgency in his walk, as he didn't know how serious the woman's condition was. Either this was a routine headache, brought on by reactions to the nature about them, or something much much more. Nonetheless, he would find out soon enough once his mother took a look at her. "Just hang on, we'll be there in a few minutes."

[Zyah'suyakal Songbringer]

As the Akalak took the reigns Ryzan nearly reared, he was not used to feeling the pressure, for his Rider never had any need to use them. He let out a scream and bucked his hind legs, Zyah'suyakal felt herself slipping, she wrapped her arms around her Strider's neck and began to speak in Pavi. "Easy boy, easy....." Her voice was soft and melodious to the frightened Strider, he calmed slowly. Zyah'suyakal switched back to Common, her voice stern as she addressed the Akalak. "Let them go now, if you don't he could toss me off of him, Ryzan is not used to having the yvas grabbed, I usually let him have free reign when he is riding. So drop them. Now." Her voice had hardened, becoming stern, a contradiction to the way she had spoken to her beloved Strider only moments ago.

[Khal'iah]

'Mother of Zulrav, what the petch?!' the Akalak thought to himself urgently, his fingertips instinctively hardening their grip upon the reins as the Strider began to rear and buck. For a second, Khal'iah was about to fight the beast for control, that is until the Drykas muttered calming words into her faithful steed's ears. She then, with a voice as sharp as steel, commanded him to drop the reins. Zyah'suyakal didn't have to tell the violet-skinned warrior twice, as before her words were finished escaping her lips, the reins had been dropped and Khal'iah had elevated his hands. He took three cautious steps back from the Stryder, maintaining his "non-threatening" posture. "My sincerest apologies," he stated in Common, his breath shaky from the experience, "I had no idea Zyah'suyakal. Forgive me." With that said, he lowered his head apologetically for a moment before turning upon his heel and resuming his strides toward Riverfall. After about five steps, he tilted his head back to be certain that the Stryder had begun to follow him on his own; for if not, the Akalak had little idea as to what he would or could do to get the horse to follow along.

[Zyah'suyakal Songbringer]

"Don't worry, warrior. It happens more often then I would like, but you didn't know. I will most likely be hearing of it from him later, he is as stubborn as as ass, and even less cooperative then one when he is in the mood..." She offered a soft smile in an attempt to lighten the mood, then as she heard the Akalak begin to move again, she followed close behind, her head bowed, and her body relaxed. The pain was still there, the best thing at the moment to so was to stay silent as rest as best as she could, considering she was astride a horse.