I had something to do (Sagitta)

[Bolivar]

Date: 34th of Fall, 513 A.V.
Location: Silkwater Lake

The Bronze Wood once again?

Mentally musing trying to keep himself awake Bolivar found himself trudging his horse off the main road of the Kabrin once again. The squire wondering if it was his own doing or perhaps a certain fatal attraction the wood had to young aspiring squires. In any case he was in the thick of it, his mighty steed wading through the rises and falls that the forest floor threw at him.

Was the horse a boy? Did it really matter?

Shaking his head in contempt Bolivar once again wondered why exactly he found himself amidst the Bronze. Lo and behold the squire's inspiration soon revealed itself in the form of a body of water and all the lovely bugs associated with damp areas. Of course there were rivers and lakes around Kalea but they did not quite seem as serene as the ones in Sylira. That was one point that Bolivar had to concede if they had to compare the two regions. While one area emulates peace and serenity one actually seems to provide it in spades.

Dressed as inconspicuously as he can of course the squire stood out like a sore thumb dressed in the soldier outfit he brought from Sultros. Tight and conforming black with tints of green outlining the outfit Bolivar paid little heed to his appearance. As long as others did not realize he was a squire today perhaps he would find himself some actual peace to take a nice few deep breathes.

“Oh that's right. I've to familiarize myself with every aspect the area around Syliras had to offer.”

Not quite knowing who he was talking to Bolivar instead resigned to playing back the rumors he had heard of the Silkwater Lake. No one knew exactly why the water seemed so clean but if they had to guess it was the bubbling center the seemed to pump more and more fresh water into the lake.

“I wonder. Where does all the water go?”

If the center put in water where was the water taken out. Had no one bothered to question this and go out to the center and take a look?

Damn. This place really does let you get away from it all.

The all being the constant want and training to become a knight. Squires were people too. Sometimes they just needed a day to reflect, regret and let it all go. Days to forgive yourself. Bolivar had been in dire need of doing so. Hopefully today was going to be a peaceful day.

[Sagitta]

“Loosen up, squire. You're not going to fall off,” the comely knight commented beside her, his own horse trotting lightly under his guidance. Despite the armor he was wearing, Stanton Alber still moved with an ease of an experienced rider.

Easy for him to say. Sagitta had actually fallen off a horse once and if Stanton hadn't reacted fast and caught her, her arm would probably have been broken. She looked down on her own hands gripping the reins - so tightly that her knuckles turned white. Her heart raced in anticipation for some sort of disaster. To be honest, the horse wasn't the only thing to make her uncomfortable.

Every moment they were out in the wilderness, closed by huge trunks and undergrowths, the Ethaefal expected the massive serpent-like monster to swoop down and kill her. She could not forget how close she was to death when she was fighting for her life against the Balicani. Yes, the knights had succeeded to kill one – and she had been there to help – but she knew that there were actually two. It was not hard for her to imagine how the ground had shook at the creature’s roar, how its teeth had torn men to pieces. The very teeth that lay stashed in her dorm room.

She also understood that was specifically why Stanton had dragged her out into the Bronze Woods. He had said that she needed to get over her fear of what’s out there if she really wanted to become a knight. Well, that might provide her some trouble. The reason she decided to join the Order in the first place was because she couldn’t get over her fear enough to travel to Ravok. Not that she said that out loud to her patron. And so here she was.

Her eyes kept flickering from side to side, trying to catch any glimpse of anything. Her body was poised to flee, knowing that she would be faster on her feet rather than on a horse. “After we reached the lake, we’ll go straight back, right?”

The young knight smirked. “That remains to be seen. You might enjoy the sight.”

“I rather enjoy the sight from behind the walls. Much safer. I mean, what are the chances I’ll be assigned outside the city?” Stanton raised an eyebrow at her statement. “You know what? Don’t answer that.”

“I can promise you, you’ll survive to see the night. Stop worrying. After all, I am still an excellent knight.”

Sagitta rolled her eyes. It was easy to forget that Stanton not that much older than her physical form, still carrying the confidence of a youth, yet patient and wise in his manner. Honestly, he reminded her a bit of Oz, her younger brother.

The Ethaefal barely realized that they had came upon a clearing. A large body of water expanded in front of her. The water was rippling ever so slightly. the movement graceful in its own way. Animals scoured on its edges and birds flew above it, their figured mirrored on the water. Simply put, it was beautiful.

“Thank me later.”

[Bolivar]

Hovering out near the water's edge Bolivar's mount hesitated upon the first few steps into the lake. None too loyal to Bolivar the horsemade quite the ruckus before stepping into the water. Despite the squire's insisting on the lead rope his steed trotted a few paces awry retreating just before touching the water.

“Not back. Towards the water. This is just as much for you as it is for me.”

Leading his horse back with the reins it would take several more times and infinite patience on the squire's part to lead his horse to water. Though slowly the horse was finally warming up to the idea much to the squire's glee. A few nervous snorts came from the horse but with some calming ministrations on Bolivar's part it slowly started around the water. Now they were getting somewhere! Whether Bolivar realized it or not he was getting somewhere with this horse in particular. Once a snob to the squire's touch, the horse didn't seem to mind Bolivar's calming touch.

Ooh that's cool.

Heading deeper into the lake till the water reached up to the squire's ankles the rider pair headed deeper in still. Looking back on the saddle bags the squire mentally mused before letting the horse walk deeper in. There wasn't anything of importance he brought that could have been damaged by the water. None of his glyphs or papers. The sharpening stone and robes came to mind but other then that naught of real importance.

The water was at his knees now and closing in on his waist. As it finally reached to bolivar's waist it was already up near the horse's face. Bobbing it's head back and forth similar to the walking gait Bolivar realized as he looked down at the horse's feet below him that it indeed knew how to swim. It was kicking off the ground occasionally getting some float time in the water at one point.

So why did he give me such a hard time going in?

Bolivar would have to find the answer to that another time it seemed. Evening out amidst the water and finally reaching the other side of the lake Bolivar could hardly contain the excitement suddenly coming from his horse. Quivering and shaking with each step out of the lake Bolivar could hardly keep his balance as the horse teetered side to side neighing all the while.

“Barrel what's gotten into you boy?”

Bolivar was at a lost at why exactly that was when his horse had chosen to freak out. Scanning the area quickly Bolivar quickly tried to calm his horse hearing the quicken breathe of the steed. No doubt that the incessant neighing and parading around alerted whatever was causing the horse to act out.

oocHope that was enough of a ruckus to notice.

[Sagitta]

Almost unconsciously, Sagitta urged her horse closer to the water. The sight of it made her cringe – she remembered how close she was to drowning off the coast of the Wildlands. At least the water here was calm, not the roaring the sea was, tossing and churning. And the thought of the horse beneath her assured her the slightest bit. “Did you really bring me here just for the sight? I find that quite ridiculous.” She stopped the stallion with a rough jerk as soon as the ground seemed to turn to mud. The horse neighed uncomfortably.

“You do realize that horse is a living being, right?” Stanton asked with a slight smile. “Don’t yank him around like that.” As if to prove his point, a light tug of his reins urged his ride to move closer to her. “You really need to work on your riding skills.”

Before she could reply, a huge splashing broke through the wildlife noises. It wasn’t hard to spot where the commotion had come from. In the middle of the calm water were a horse and his rider crossing the lake. Was he crossing atop of his horse? And she thought she was mad. Yet, they seem to be crossing just fine. Can horses swim? Sagitta wasn’t quite sure. She never really rode a horse before recruited as a squire. Stallions were pricey things.

Grateful for the excuse to leap down, Sagitta clambered down her horse ungracefully. Her thighs were slightly sore from the riding but she wasn’t about to let Stanton know. She focused on the figure, noticing that it was getting closer and closer to them. “Is that really . . .”

“A swimming horse? Yes, it is.” Following her lead, the young knight unsaddled himself in a swift move. He neared the edge of the water, one hand resting on the hilt of his sheathed sword. Usually the sight of the knights’ armor was enough to put most criminals at bay. Still, he breathed calmly, “Stand behind me.”

Men and their heroics. Though the Ethaefal rolled her eyes at the command, she did as he asked. Sagitta was not eager to become the welcome committee if the figure turned out to be a bandit or something. Yet, something crawled on the back her neck and she shivered. Something was not quite right.

“Identify yourself!” Stanton called out to the rider and his nervous horse.

The rustle behind her snapped her head around and she pulled out the sword Stanton had let her bring. The knight didn’t hear it, preoccupied by the incoming guest. The weapon was heavy in her hands and her hold was still clumsy, but it was better than nothing. It was probably nothing, considering that Sagitta was paranoid in the wilderness. But if it did turned out to be something, the blade at least stood between her and whatever it was. Shaking the feeling away, dismissing it as her imagination, she turned back to face the rider from the lake.

[Bolivar]

"Tck. Barrel! I am not kidding. Stop that."

The harsh tone taken seemed to register with the horse as it finally got itself out of the water. Though still splashing all the way back to the shore the horse seemed almost enchanted by the waters at his feet.

"What got into you? Hmm boy?"

Meticulously brushing any stray hairs from the horse's face Bolivar looked back at the water and then back at the horse. Every few steps causing a larger splash that was followed by a slight reaction from the horse. He was playing?

Blinking slightly at the notion Bolivar mused slightly at the thought. The horses that were in Syliras were usually regarded as beasts of burden, even more so for the horses used by the Syliran knights. This was probably one of the rare times Barrel had actually swam for a few tics. The realization was almost enough to let the horse have some fun while he explored the lake. Almost.

Eyes shifting to the sudden shout, Bolivar only turned his head slightly at the approaching figure. It looked to be a wary knight pair. Hands already fixed on their scabbards Bolivar's eyes sharpened at the notion. Breathing out slightly while staring down the sudden disturbance. Shrugging slightly at the move Bolivar relaxed as he relinquished the attempt to glare down the man. Instead giving a slight nod towards the pair of them in turn.

"Ser knight. Lady squire."

The way the other one carried herself made it evident enough. There was still a panicked aura around her, that uneven breathing from feeling out of place in the situation telling him all he needed to know.

"Might want to hold that carefully. Can hurt yourself like that."

Glancing back at the apparent knight with negligible interest considering what he should share with the pair. Bolivar wasn't dressed in his usual plate armor that he was accustomed to whilst out and about. In fact he resembled little more then the lay traveler that roamed outside the walls of Syliras.

"Just a squire familiarizing himself with the land. Is there... Something amiss ser knight?"