Solo Chasing Bison

[Oryani]

Winter 71st, 513 AV
Near the Edge of Endrykas

Oryani was in a good mood. Why wouldn’t she be? Getting over a cold, plus finally being unstuck from the snowstorm at the same time… it was enough to brighten anyone’s feelings. She wasn’t freezing her toes off either. It was still cold of course, but not as much as before. In fact, in comparison, it was positively… er… warm! Warmer. She couldn’t quite decide. Still, the Chatakwe couldn’t help but daydream a little about the supposed heat of Ekytol, her home region, that her mother had spoken of. She was built for the heat, not the cold… and though she was a Drykas in mind, her skin, hands, and eyes all stated blatantly that she was a Southerner in body.

On top of all that good news, she had more work… an interesting job, where she would be working with a number of other Watch members (including her mentor) on a long term journey. It was to do with the bison that the Drykas had herded near the city. Most of them had remarkably stayed where they were, huddling under the ice and snow, protected by thick fur. However, a small collection had wandered off, and it was Oryani’s group’s job to go find them, and bring them back. In all, the group consisted of the warriors, two hunters, and two herders, to keep the group protected and fed throughout the journey. A small group that should move fast across the Sea, even with the heavy snow only just drifting away. Someone had estimated that the trip would take fifteen or so days, depending.

Despite the decent period of time they were expected to be gone, they’d prepared quickly, the archer being informed literally halfway through the herders’ and hunters’ work. She only needed to pack a few things, say goodbye to her family, double-check her weapons, and store some of the group’s general food and equipment in her Yvas bags. They were bringing few personal items, of course. Most of the space and weight would be for ‘public’ use… they had to work together on this, after all. She also had a very long, deep, drink… the amount of water they would pass by was uncertain, though they could always melt some snow down. Still, it was good to be prepared, and not weigh down on the group in an emergency.

She was honestly very thankful for her racial skills. The water-storing organ, and her ‘motion sense’ gave her an advantage in the wilderness that other Drykas didn’t have. She was also sensible… that was obvious enough, considering how long she’d lasted. Anyone less so would have been dead from one danger or another. Actually, majority of her family was in the same situation, and in her small pavilion the deaths were small. There had been that one brother who’d been lost to the web –well he wasn’t really a brother- and a few died during the earlier epidemic. Kat had been brought in as a replacement, to help boost the group’s numbers, which had always been small.

[Oryani]

A call brought her out of her thoughts, causing Oryani to glance up from where she’d been staring: the middle of Khal’s back. The group was all mounted and finishing the last preparations, ready to race off to bring the valuable bison back to Endrykas. They were going to follow the creatures via the web, due to one track or another… she wasn’t in charge of that. Despite being part of a clan that specialized in the magical art, one of the hunters was an Ankal, and much more skilled at it. She didn’t even know which thread they were following… but she could always ask if needed.

The person drawing her attention was Hashiam Waterhoof, the Zalok Yakhtai who took the position of her mentor. The other member of the Watch who was coming along was a Tavehk she didn’t know very well… proficient with the short spear, though, apparently in both long and short range. She could see the trio of weapons strapped to his Strider’s Yvas from her position. Normally one was used at a time, but if he threw one at an enemy, he had spares to back him up. It was an interesting situation, but everyone in the Watch was able to choose their own weapons. There was, of course, the mandatory of having both melee and ranged, though.

As the man trotted closer on his own Strider, riding the horse as if they were one creature. At the same moment, the golden eagle who’d been her companion for most of the season, Alaril, came swooping down from the skies to perch on the settled place on Khal’s rump. Hashiam didn’t flinch, instead, raising one eyebrow at the darker-colored Drykas. ”You with us? We’re leaving… you stay at the back of the group, keep an eye on things. It’s not too likely that we’ll be attacked while moving… but staying prepared is our job, right?” Short words spoken, he reached a callused hand to pat the Chatakwe on the shoulder, before wheeling his Strider around to trot around to the front of the group.

Oryani sighed and twisted in her seat, staring straight at Alaril. ”Are you ready for this?” she asked, if only for something to say. No answer. Personally, she was excited, and even a little nervous for the journey. There was always the possibility they wouldn’t come back. It happened. They’d be attacked by lions or bears or Glassbeaks, and their bodies would return to Caiyha, Semele, and the Sea of Grass. But as a protector of the Drykas, she was prepared for that risk. It was her job to be on her guard and alert for anything approaching with malicious intent, and help keep everyone else alive. Sadly, moving at the speeds that they would be, her ability to sense movements around her would be nulled. Disappointing, but unavoidable. Hopefully her eagle’s keen eyes would help, from air or from horseback.

[Oryani]

A sharp, wordless cry made her turn back to see the horse at the front of their group begin trotting ahead. As others followed, she too kicked Khal into action, nudging the stallion with her knees. Her hands rested, curled in the Strider’s mane, since there was nothing else for them to do. Her job was to follow, and –once they were out of the city- to keep an eye out for anything. Her eyes drifted from side to side, not finding anything particularly interesting, but already starting the repetitive task of watching. All of the group but herself and one of the herders was male… and everyone could be identified by the items strapped to their Yvases.

All the warriors had multiple weapons, herself and Hashiam with bows and swords, and the Tavekh with his triple short spears. The hunters simply had bows, long composite ones that looked powerful and accurate. Lastly, the herders had more mundane things around them, with maybe only a belt knife to show as a blade. One had a huge coil of rope at their side, neatly packed as to be space efficient. Oryani only knew one or two. Her mentor, of course… and one of the hunters… a friend of her brother’s? He looked vaguely familiar, at least. The female herder also looked like someone her mother had invited into the pavilion once or twice, for dinner and a discussion.

The youngest looking was the hunter that she recognized, barely as old as Yetrian. Sixteen… seventeen? He had a youthful face, and the barest beginnings of a blond beard. He was remarkably pale, compared to her, with yellowish white hair and light skin. She’d seen his eyes earlier too… a funny bluish-grey color. Remembering it now, she still couldn’t decide which hue was more obvious. He’d been chatty and excitable, jabbering into the ear of his companion, who’d seemed a little miffed at the constant talk. However, now he was quiet and twitchy, sitting a little stiffly on his Strider. Nervous? Possibly. It was quite likely that this was his first time out on a long journey. This was certainly one of her longest… but she wasn’t as responsible for as much as this young hunter. He needed to keep the group fed, with meat and foraged greens, make sure they had a good camp… all that survivally stuff. She was okay at it personally, but knew that most of the group was probably better at the art than herself.

The Chatakwe dragged her attention away from the young man, drifting over to stare at the ever-expanding horizon of grass… unending grass. She’d heard stories about the sea, but never bothered to see it. She’d heard and smelled it from her rare visits to Riverfall though… she’d only been once or twice. Apparently it was a huge expanse of water unending, and –get this- salty. She’d wondered at the time why someone had named something made of water after the Sea of Grass, but had been flatly corrected. The body of water was not names after the land where she lived, but rather the other way round. There were many more seas than plains like this, she’d been told. Did the ocean look like this? Just blue, of course. Maybe. There was supposed to be a remarkable similarity. Maybe on this trip they’d see the sea… but probably not. Not unless they took a huge detour from the supposed path.

[Oryani]

Oryani rubbed her fingers impatiently, looking up a little to see Alaril wheeling in the sky. The bird never really liked being perched on a moving horse, all bumpy and uncomfortable. The Drykas herself was quite comfortable moving up and down in rhythm with her Strider. As she thought about this, the group’s pace increased to a faster trot, now that they were fully out of the city, and some deeper snow. To keep up, she nudged Khal again, pushing him forward with her entire body in an effort to move faster. It was tempting to start into a gallop and outrun everyone, but her job was here, at the back.

Though normally her ears would be full of the sound of hooves on ground and grass, a different sound reached them today. With the snow – only a foot around here – the horses’ feet were muted, creating a muffled… puffy sound. If that was even possible. How could something sound puffy? Still, that was the truth. She’d been through many Winters before this, though few had as much snow… especially as the Drykas spent the season as close to Ekytol as possible, but still in the Sea of Grass. She loved their nomadic life for that reason, wandering from one place to another depending on the season. Someone had mentioned that, if their trip took too long, they could always stay at Riverfall until everyone else caught up… but she didn’t like that idea. Firstly, there was no chance it would take more than twenty days… but even then set them on a borderline. However, the Chatakwe didn’t like Riverfall, or cities in general… too cramped, too crowded.

Sighing quietly, her eyes returned to Alaril, who had suddenly dive bombed towards the grass, wings pulled close to her sides for extra speed. The eagle whipped down, spreading her wings only at the last minute to pull up, claws extended, apparently to grab something below. There was a pause, and a short scuffle, until the great bird took flight again, something large and furry clutched in her claws. Apparently the Yvas bags were a perfect place to eat such prey, so Alaril risked the bumpy ride and perched, instantly starting to shred the meal.

”Lovely,” Oryani muttered, turning her head away in a grimace. They’d be stained with blood after this, something hard – or impossible – to get out of the dark leather. Something smacked her in the back of the head, and her hand whipped behind her, barely managing to catch something small and fuzzy. Looking at it… a rabbit ear, torn from the skull it had originally been attached to. She considered throwing it to the grass below for scavengers, then thought the better of it. Why waste something like that? She’d save it for a treat for the eagle later on.

With the slightly reddened ear tucked into a pouch, she pretended not to notice the feeding bird behind her, and edged Khal a little faster. They’d fallen further from the main group in the small commotion, and needed to catch up. A light nudge sent her on, just as the group began galloping… of all times. Scowling at this, she pushed even harder, forcing her Strider to move at a faster pace than those Drykas ahead of her. Of course, at this speed, she was unsteady in her seat, gripping tightly with both hands, plus her knees. Alaril had given up staying where she was, and finished off the rest of her meal on the ground, planning on catching up later.

[Oryani]

They rode on and on, slowing once in the middle of the day to eat lunch while at a walk. They were all skilled enough to stay seated with no hands at that speed, and it was a nice break for the Striders, even if they could go on for eternity in the expansive Sea. All there was to nibble on was dried meat, some berries, and a cracker-bread thing that was common on trips, but which Oryani could not name. There was probably some word for it, but she’d never bothered learning it. Anyways, though it wasn’t remarkably delicious… it was filling.

Feeling a little rejuvenated, they pushed forward at a faster pace, wanting to get as far as possible before sunset. Oryani rarely had long rides like this, and was feeling an ache in her legs that didn’t bode well. Her back was also stiff, but the occasional stretch helped relieve that a little. Alaril came and went, apparently able to fly as long as the horses could run. They were riding at such a speed that the bird could catch up if she stopped for a few chimes for a rest.

Finally, the older hunter at the lead slowed his mount, slipping off as easily as if he’d only been riding for a few chimes. The others followed suit, some more stiff and groany than others. The Chatakwe was part of that group, making a pained and annoyed expression as she swung her leg over Khal’s side, and landed with a thump on the ground. Her legs felt a little wobbly, but she managed to keep walking until she found the spot where they would make camp, and collapsed on the ground with a heavy sigh. Seeing that his assistance was no longer needed, her stallion wandered off to nibble at some of the fresh grass.

Her rest lasted only a few moments, when someone lightly kicked her in the lower back. She shot a glare at them, only to see her mentor, Hashiam. ”You have to set up your tent. After that, you can find some water for the horses, and for us.” Though his tone was stiff, his hands spoke his amusement, and Oryani scowled at him. Still, she pushed herself up, wincing at the sudden pain and effort. She was not going to be happy, when morning came. Wobbling slowly off, she dragged her personal tent out of Khal’s packs, putting it together with the help of the female herder. For packing reasons, they would be sharing a space, as it had plenty of room. It meant that not everyone had to waste space on their own tents.

After that was done, she slowly made her way around the nearby area of the camp, using both her extra sense, and her eyes, to find still or running water.

[Fantasy]

XP Awarded!

Oryani Darkeye :

Skills

• Observation +3
• Riding +2

Lores

• Sea of Grass: Named after the ocean
• Long rides can leave the body sore

Comments: Not a lot of experience to award here, though it was very enjoyable to read. As always please PM me if you have questions or comments.. Please remember to edit your grading request!

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