A Race of Foals and Fists

by **Ashryn** on December 3rd, 2014, 1:20 am

The boy seemed to like conversation. Ashryn didn't mind that but when she was focused on a task she liked to keep her mind on said task. So while Garland was speaking to her Ashryn kept her horse still, but tried the reins again.

At first she would pull the reins too far to one side that she would almost make herself fall off. Though TwelveKnives responded to her maneuvers by turning his head, Ashryn knew that that wasn't quite right. Then she would pull the reins again, this time, still hesitant, she would find that her arms were completely outstretched in an over exaggeration of her order. She sighed and decided to give up, just for a moment, and get back to talking with Garland.

She has listened to what the Squire/Knight was saying and silently filed the name 'Suresslynn' in her head to be remembered later. Ashryn knew she wasn't the most skilled herbalist in the world, and she was constantly aware of others. Not just to share secrets and learn tricks, but if Ashryn knew anything about the Dhani, besides them being part snake, they more often than not, had some skill in poisons; a skill Ashryn was interested in learning.

When the boy started to talk about his career, Ashryn perked up a little. This was something she was very interested in. The fact that those in the Order did not have to pay rent was quite surprising. That had to be a major perk. Renting a room at the Traveler's Row, although pretty cheap in her mind, was a burden to her pocket. Plus the amount of skills they had to learn. Different kinds of weapons, survival tactics. It seemed like a lot for as young as this kid seemed to be. However, the dorms did seem to be the perfect place for a bunch of adolescent teenage boys. She could just imagine the fun and trouble they could get in to.

"Well I dont know anyone who wants to be in the Order, I myself, definitely not. I don't think I'm one for fighting and protecting. I'll leave that up to you guys." She smiled at the boy and then challenged him. "So you said you wanted a race, right? Shall we?"

Assuming Garland would agree, Ashryn readied TwelveKnives. Pulling his reins to the side and nudging his stomach she moved him to face down the track. She secured her feet in the stirrups and tightened her grip on the reins. She would try to trot her way to victory, maybe her horse would get excited enough and run a little, although the thought frightened Ashryn a tiny bit.

Whenever Garland was ready, Ashryn would let him say 'start' and they would be off down the track. the girl didn't expect to win, but it sounded like fun. She would certainly learn something new though.

WordCount: 481

by **Garland** on December 4th, 2014, 12:15 pm

Garland gave Tryn a small rub behind the ear. "It's a tough life sometimes, but someone has got to do it." He stopped and gave Tryn a small pat on her head, a signal to get ready to run.

"Though I've heard that there's a new section to the knights, they aren't exactly a fighting force, but they are more of a medical squad rather than you're regular knights, they are new to the force, so the training is still ongoing, if you don't want to fight, you can join that I think. Though it is your choice." He said, nodding at Ashryn. "Yeah a race does sound good."

Tryn gave was oddly silent, usually he would be whinnying or something, maybe getting a head start. Garland smirked and lowered his head, getting ready to start. "Ready... set... go!" As he said that, Garland gave a strong kick to get Tryn moving, but he didn't. He just sat there like a lemon, refusing to move even an inch.

"Come on. Move!" Garland cried out and tried moving the reins to get his black horse to move, but sadly he wasn't having any of it, in fact Tryn even bent down to pick at some weeds growing on the side of the track. "Really? You're doing this to me right now?"

He had gotten a bad start, but Tryn gave a small annoyed whinny and walked slowly on the track instead of trotting or galloping like he usually did. He then stopped and went to the side to get some water. "Are you even trying?" As if saying no, Tryn shook his head to the side, ruffling his own mane in the process.

by **Ashryn** on December 5th, 2014, 5:44 am

Soon Garland agreed and readied his horse too. He yelled go and Ashryn quickly nudged her mount a couple of times in the side. "Trot!" She yelled. TwelveKnives started to walk down the track and when Ashryn kicked his side again he sped up into a slow trot. Excited, Ashryn didn't pay much attention, focused squarely on the end of the field. She tried to ignore the bumping of her body on his back and instead just clamped her thighs to his body harder and tightened her grip even more on the reins, praying not to fall off.

The girl didn't fall off, however she was shocked to notice that her mount was swerving to the side. She realized that, without thinking, she had moved her hands to the side, whilst holding the leather reins. This, of course, was ordering her mount to move to the side, and suddenly she was off course. She panicked a little and over corrected, pulling the rope to the extreme opposite side she was currently heading. This shocked TwelveKnives and he over corrected as well. He turned abruptly to the right and slowed down a bit, trying to figure out what exactly his master wanted.

Ashryn, confused and excited at the race and how she was controlling her horse became flustered and started moving the reins this way and that, utterly confusing the Paintedmount as well, until he got so fed up with her misdirection's he stopped in the middle of the track. He huffed and waited for Ashryn to regain control of herself before he let her control him again.

The girl sighed and figured she had lost the race, until she looked up and didn't see Garland anywhere in front of her. She looked back and saw the boy and his horse far at the starting line, his mount casually drinking some water, while the Squire/Knight had a fit, kicking the sides of the mixed-blood and yelling at it to move.

She laughed and took a few more breaths, calming herself and the excited adrenaline pumping through her veins. That was exhilarating and fun and Ashryn certainly learned that she needed some serious practice with the reins, and also learning how to calm down out while trotting and pay attention.

After a chime or two Ashryn grabbed at TwelveKnives reins again and he obliged as she lead him over to the struggling Garland. She wasn't sure if the race actually finished, seeing as neither of them actually got to the end of the field, though Ashryn did go farther than the poor boy. It didn't really matter though, the herbalist had fun, and she was smiling as she went as talked to her acquaintance. "Well, that was something." She exclaimed to him, happiness and excitement radiating out of her.

WordCount: 467

by **Garland** on December 5th, 2014, 2:54 pm

Tryn had just finished drinking some water, when he looked up to see their "opponents" coming back to either gloat or give their condolences for his lost.

Tryn gave a big huff, clearly irritated that they lost the race. Garland gave a small smile and rubbed Tryn's ear. "You were being a cocky little foal weren't ya? Jeez... What am I going to do with you?" Tryn just snorted and suddenly bucked Garland to the side.

The squire landed on his rump with a loud thud. "Ow. Sore loser." He got up and grabbed Tryn's reins. "We should get back to the dorms soon, and you should get back to the stables soon. I still got to clean after you." He rubbing Tryn's mane, which the horse returned with a nip at Garland's hand.

"Well, that was something."

"Yes it was." He gave a smile and offered a hand if she wanted to get off her horse, she might be having some saddle burn or at least get a bit uncomfortable from all that rocking and sitting.

Tryn gave a small snort directed towards TwelveKnives, it seems that Tryn thought that the much calmer and much more friendly PaintedMount was a rival to him.

"Well, it was fun. I would love to ride with you again." He thought for a moment. "Maybe we can meet at the Fighter's Pit and I can show you some training, it could be useful and fun." He offered.

by **Ashryn** on December 6th, 2014, 12:51 am

The poor boy fell off his horse again as Ashryn approched. She giggled at him. He was really a laugh, and Ashryn was glad he had stumbled upon her this morning. The herbalist never would have thought about a race, and it probably would would have been a few more training days before she even considered trotting.

As Garland extended his hand to help Ashryn off her horse she politely accepted and placed her hand in his. Making sure her foot was still secure in her stirrup, she swung her other leg over TwelveKnive's back and plopped herself, a little unsteadily, onto the ground beside the Squire/Knight. Instantly she groaned. She didnt realize she would be so sore. Her thighs, her butt, her whole lower body felt like it had been wrung out like a damp towel. She straightened her back out, streching it, and heard her spine crack a little. Her eyes widened slightly in shock and then she laughed again and patted her mounts flank.

"Well that was fun!" Ashryn exclaimed, a huge grin spread across her face. She really did enjoy today and she certaintly learned a few new things.

"I have to get this big lug back home and clean him up, I bet he's hungry." She muttered, mainly to herself. TwelveKnives nickered and stomped his foot in agreement.

Ashryn sighed a tired, content sigh and absentmindedly ran a hand through her hair, only to find out that the wind had knotted the dark curls. She scrunched her face up in a quick grimace, knowing it would take a minute to fix that mess later tonight. She looked over at the boy's horse as it seemed to grunt in TwelveKnives' direction. The Kavinka in turn simply looked at him and shook his mane out. If only Ashryn's hair was that manageable.

When the Squire/Knight mentioned the Fighter's Pit Ashryn had to hold back her amused look. It seemed like the boy wanted any excuse to see her again, but maybe that was just a girl over thinking things again. Anyway, she chuckled at Garland's offer. Ashryn wasn't much for fighting, she didn't see a need for it, she wasn't a Knight and the walls of Syliras were very secure and very safe. However she did smile in thanks and say, "If I ever find an interest in fighting, I'll be sure to come to you first." Though she doubted she would ever need such a skill. The world, of course, could easily prove her wrong.

The girl was a little afraid she wouldn't be able to walk much tomorrow after her muscles reworked themselves around her bone, she winced at the thought. Well, everyone could use a little muscle in the legs. But finally, with her mood high and bright, Ashryn said her goodbyes to her companion and thanked him for bringing fun into their training.

WordCount: 480

by **Nivel** on December 22nd, 2014, 2:23 am

Ashryn :

Garland :

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Closed A Race of Foals and Fists