[Flashback] Riding in Circles [Solo Training]

[Alevadra Druva]

10th of Spring 498AV Alevadra had only been a squire for a matter of days. The young woman quickly learned what a change this was, more responsibility, expectations, training. She loved it. How could she not? She was slowly make her way to knighthood, it was within sight, a few more years, a few more scars, she would be a knight, without rank, but still a knight! The thought of all of it, the prestige! The notoriety! The thought was almost intoxicating. Today was not the day she would be knighted though, she had just become a squire, she was in service to a knight, it was her duty to fulfill the requests and expectations sent down to her. Today, though, was dedicated to training, specifically, her archery and ability to ride a horse. Because Alevadra was a small child, she did not have the opportunity to ride a horse frequently without the worry of her mother. Half of the bright, pleasant spring day was to be spent riding, the other was to be spent arching at still targets and learning about her weapon. A dull day to some, but Alevadra found it hard to sleep the night before, she was jittery with excitement. The morning came and the young woman was already awake as the sun rose. She dressed quickly in simple, tan soft leather pants, a short sleeved off-white linen shirt with a plain dark blue tabard over it. In the lower right corner of the tabard was stitched the silhouette of a glassbeak, her family crest. About her waist was fastened a dark brown leather belt with a brass colored ring, which the strip of leather was laced through so as to stay. On the belt hung a sword as well as a small pouch with no more that two gold mizas. Alevadra had put her hair up in a tight bun, a clump of hair that was right above her forehead was too short for the bun, and was held back behind her ear. Her hair was smooth and clean, though that would not last once she began riding. Alevadra quickly left her room, assessing that she indeed had her items, including a long bow which the knights were provided with for practice. After a quickly look over to assure that she looked clean and professional for her patron knight, Alevadra left her small room and headed for Stormhold where she was to meet her knight. The fifteen-year-old arrived at stormhold before her Patron knight, Patrick Frent, arrived. He was a rankless knight, but was approaching Sergeant status and would likely reach that status before Alevadra reached the rank of Knight. Patrick was a human with dark, muddy, green eyes and messy brown hair, it appeared as if he did not care for himself, though this was not the case, it seemed his hair simple had a mind of its own. He had progressed at the same rate as Alevadra had, at the age of 10 he was a page, at 15 a squire, at 19 a knight, and now, he was nearing Sergeant as was barely 22. "Alevadra, it is good to see that you're punctual." A deep, cheerful voice said to the side of Alevadra. The woman was standing firmly outside of the main gates to the castle, their meeting place. Brown eyes turned quickly to land on Patrick's face, he was smiling at his squire, leaning against the wall of Stormhold. "Good morning, Sir Frent." Alevadra said quickly, turning to face him, her arms relaxed at her sides, her left arm held her bow. Patrick laughed quietly, looking down at the ground as he pushed off from the wall. "Alevadra, call me Patrick, I was the squire to your father, it's strange having you call me "Sir" when I've known you and your family for the longest time." Patrick stated with a small smirk, as he rested one large, calloused hand on the top of the small girls head, rustling her hair. "Well, squire, we had best get started, we have a long day ahead of us." Patrick said, walking past Alevadra on his way to the knights stables. Alevadra was unsure if she should be insulted by the hair rustle of flattered. It was true that Patrick was the squire to Alevadra's father, and therefore she knew the man more like a brother than anything else. He entered her house before she left to become a page, but within that time, Alevadra was treated like Patrick's younger sister, which was something he never forgot. The young woman turned and followed her patron quickly, standing to his right as the two walked towards the knight stables to start of the day.

[Alevadra Druva]

It did not take the duo very long to reach the stables, and once there, it was busy like any other day in the large building. Pages were going about their duties in the stables, caring for the horses, feeding the horses and everything in between. Patrick owned his own horse; it was a large muddy brown stallion with a black mane and tail name Gent, short for Gentleman. Alevadra did not have the luxury of owning her own horse, so she used one of the communal horses while were provided for the knights. “So, we’ll need to find you the smallest horse won’t we?” Patrick joked, looking around the stables towards where the communal horses were. The horse Alevadra had ridden before was named “Lyris” and was a small white mare with grey speckles. “Last time I rode, I had Lyris.” Alevadra said, nodding in the direction of the horse’s stable. “Very well, let’s go get her tack and saddle on.” The tall man quickly strode to the stable and entered next to the horse. Patrick looked like a giant next to the small mare; this did not seem to bother him nor Lyris. “Let’s see you do this, I’ll help if you need it but I want to see what you know.” Patrick said as he gestured towards the riding gear. Ale honestly had very little knowledge of horses, her years as a page rarely had her in the stables, and even though her sponsoring knight had a horse, he barely rode it, and rarely had the girl tend to the beast. In addition to her sponsor rarely needing her to go care for the horse, until her latest grow spurt over the summer, there was worry of her size around some of the larger horses. The young woman quickly set about the horse, a hand remained in contact with the beast while she moved around it, letting the creature know, “It’s alright, it’s just me, see? I’m right here.” So as to avoid getting hurt. As Alevadra moved around the horse she gathered the blanket, placing it over the horses back, then the saddle, which caused Alevadra a bit of struggle to get it over the back of the creature. Patrick watched silently, a stern expression resting on his face as he noted Ale's slow, but stead work. She took the bit and placed it in the horse’s mouth, resting the reins over the back of the creatures neck. Then she stopped, finished, at least she thought she was finished. “Wrong.” Patrick said with a sigh. Her knelt over, grabbing the end of the buckle for the saddle which was nestled under the horse. “This is not nearly tight enough; you’ll fall right on your arse.” Patrick pulled, tightening the leather strap. He moved again, this time to the bit and reins, which he removed entirely. “This, you put on backwards.” He flipped it about and put it back on the horse, whom seemed to appreciate the change. The Druva frowned as she watch Patrick fix her stupid mistakes, noting each one and mentally barraging herself with Pavi curses. She was of the Drykas people! How could she make such mistakes! She was a shame to the Druva name. Patrick snapped her out of her trance with a clearing of his throat. “Well then, Ale, let’s get us going, shall we?” The knight turned and left the stall, heading to Gent’s stall, over in the Knights stable. “Meet me just outside of the stables, we’ll go from there.” Patrick said over his shoulder as he walked off, leaving Ale and the mare alone. Brown eyes moved to look at the creature as it shifted its weight, staring blankly at the wooden wall before it. With a small clicking noise and a tug of the reins, Alevadra had the horse move out of its stall and slowly towards the great outdoors. In a small voice, Ale spoke to Lyris in Pavi. “You’re a good girl; let’s just hope I don’t make a fool of myself again.” The young girl smiled and patted the creature’s neck. It took only a few chimes for Patrick to appear, already mounted and ready to begin their ride. “Well, you’re behind the times, hurry up and get on Lyris, sun’s a-wasting.” Patrick said quickly, turning his large horse which was at least four hands taller than Lyris. Alevadra quickly did as he said, slipping her left foot into the saddle, her hands gripping the horn of the leather seat and she hoisted herself up and over the horse, setting herself down rather suddenly and ungracefully. “Ready?” Patrick asked as Gent began to trot towards the city wall. “Yes, Sir.”

[Alevadra Druva]

The two had reached the walls at a slow walking pace, which Ale was able to do easily, she sat there and guided the horse with the reins and slight nudges from her feet. The horse obeyed with easy, feeling no need or reason to be trouble. As the Knight and Squire passed the wall into the open, there was a slight breeze as the two traveled along the perimeter of the wall. Patrick was trotting ahead of Alevadra as she began to lag behind, struggling to keep pace with the larger horse. As Ale lightly nudged the horse to go faster, she found herself bouncing and nearly falling off the creature, much to the amusement of her Patron. “As you go faster, lift yourself slightly off of the saddle and tighten your legs.” The knight said loudly over his shoulder. The woman tried what Patrick suggested, her thighs tensed against the leather seat, the balls of her feet pressed down into the stirrup. Once she had assumed the position Patrick had explained, Ale nudged the horse to trot a bit faster. As the beasts muscles tensed, hooves hit the ground solidly and Alevadra was no longer bouncing or nearly falling off, she still struggled slightly, finding herself leaning too far forward at the horse moved. “Sit up straight.” “Loosen up your legs more, you’re too tense.” “Don’t stand! Just use your legs as support!” Patrick coached to Alevadra, who continued to struggle as the two moved along the wall, they were still only going at a trot while Ale learned how to balance and comfortably ride Lyris. It took at least 30 chimes for the Druva to properly position herself on the horse; finally she was able to trot comfortably! She was able to trot and not slowly move into another bounce-inducing or awkward standing position! “There you go!” Patrick said with a wide smile, exposing his teeth. “About time too!” The knight joked with a small chuckle. “Shall we try maneuvering at a trot? So you get a feel of how to move when your horse is moving like this?” It wasn’t so much a question as an answer for what the two were going to end up doing next. Patrick suddenly turned Gent away from the wall, turning him in a circle before having him stop entirely. “What I will do I say a direction, as soon as you hear it, I want you to follow what I say.” The knight said in a stern, commanding voice. Ale nodded slightly, her face sharpening as she slowed Lyris down, turning her to face Patrick with a small tug of the reins and nudge of her heel. “Forward,” Ale nudged the horse again with her heels, lifting herself slightly on the balls of her feet, her thighs tightening against the mare, each breath the horse took was easily felt through Ale’s legs. “Right,” Alevadra pulled the reins to her right, her right heel kicking back slightly against Lyris’s side. The horse turned, Alevadra slipped slightly, returning to the bouncing position again, unintentionally. Quickly, the girl recovered and tightened her thighs, gripping the reins till her knuckles turned white. “Left,” Patrick’s voice boomed. Ale pulled the reins to the left, her left heel prodding. The horse turned, and as the mare moved, Alevadra barely bounced; she retained the proper position mostly. “That’s more like it… Turn all around.” Ale jerked the reins to the left further, turning the horse all the way around, a 180 degree turn. Alevadra’s face was scrunched as she focused on her task, her legs burned from the position she was holding, and then, she was facing the other way. No slipping, no bouncing, Alevadra hadn’t slipped from the proper position that that. “See! It’s not all that bad, good job!” Patrick said, trotting up next her, one of his large hands clapped her on the back. “Now we’re going to have to get you to gallop…”

[Alevadra Druva]

Patrick turned his horse and motioned for Alevadra to move her horse parallel to his. “Alright, now, when you start galloping, it will be much less bumping than trotting is, so the position for this is entirely different. You will be seated, your legs will remain tense against the horse, but now, lean forward slightly and ground yourself against Lyris.” The knight then demonstrated the position, motioning and pointing out the various important things to keep in mind. The young woman did as she was shown, holding the reins loosely against the horn, her legs tensed, and her feet pushed back into the stirrups. “Like this?” Patrick looked over her form for a moment, before reaching out to prod Ale’s arms. “Loosen up a bit,” Ale relaxed her shoulders an arms, her hands loosened up slightly, holding the reins softly in her small hands. “Perfect! Alright, lets go.” With his last few words he turned Gent, his heels hitting against the large beast with significant force. Alevadra did not waste time watching him speed off before her. The young woman was determined to keep pace with her Patron Knight; she didn’t want to be a disappointment. The heels of the squire mimicked Patrick’s, forcing backwards into the creature. Lyris jolted forward suddenly with the force, her hooves hitting the ground hard. Kicking up chunks of earth as Lyris chased after Gent, her sides heaved as she inhaled deeply. Ale found herself white knuckling the reins as the horse moved quickly. Patrick had slowed down to observe Alevadra as she rode, he could easily tell that she was not getting it, she seemed to be simply along for the ride rather than directing it. “Relax! Look up at where you’re going!” The man yelled, an ounce of annoyance coated his words. The Druva loosened up her grip on the reins, her attention shifted from the terror of potentially falling off to her duty, she was the rider, she was the one directing the horse. Brown eyes looked up over the pointed ears of Lyris onto the trail before them. Brush flashed past them, Ale let her breath leave her in sync with the horse below her, she felt the mare’s muscles as she moved, Ale focused on the feel of the horse, the way she moved. The trail began to curve, and Ale leaned slightly to the right, into the curve, the reins pulled slightly with her body; her right heel pressed against Lyris and the horse began to shift her direction to follow the curve. A smile crossed Patrick’s face as he watched her maneuver the horse. “Seems the girl still has some Drykas blood in her.” The knight said quietly to himself as he nudged Gent to follow Alevadra. “Alright, lets have you slow down a bit there, we’re going to play the direction game again, though it seems to have quite the handle on it already.” A smile crossed Alevadra’s face at the compliment. “Really? It felt easier once I listened to Lyris.” Ale said brightly. “Listened?” “Yes, to her breathing, to her muscles, the way she landed each hoof and lifted another.” Ale reached out a hand and gently patted the neck of the small mare, which butted its head up slightly. “Good, you understand her then. Riding gets much easier once you know your horse and once your horse knows you. Well, then, are you ready for another game of simon says?” Patrick joked. The Druva simply nodded slightly relaxing in the saddle.

[Alevadra Druva]

Patrick was not expecting to spend much more time outside of the city, the sun was almost directly above the two and his stomach was beginning to growl. His plan was to have Alevadra understand how to maneuver a horse while it’s galloping and then the two could race back to the gate. Once inside the city, they would take their horses back to the stables and tell the pages to clean them while they went to have lunch before beginning their archery for the afternoon. “Alright, Ale, we won’t spend too much time on this as it seems you’re grasping these concepts better than I had originally expected.” Patrick smirked, he was mostly joking, he expected her to understand and learn from her mistakes rather rapidly. “Ready?” ”Yes, Sur.” She said quickly, leaning forward in her saddle, preparing to have Lyris speed up to a gallop once Patrick gave her the go-ahead. “Alright, get to a full gallop, then I will yell to you my directions, follow what I say as quickly as you can.” Once Patrick finished speaking and motioned slightly with his right hand, Alevadra quickly nudged Lyris into a full gallop, her eyes peering over the mare’s head. It took a few moments for Lyris to be at a full gallop, and soon after, Ale heard her first direction. “Slight left!” Patrick yelled, his words were subdued once they reached Ale’s ears, but she still understood what he had said. With a slight lean to the left and delicate pull, Lyris turned slightly left, a small curve like a fork in the road. A moment later another command was issued. “Sharp right!” Ale quickly jerked the reins to the right, leaning and pressing her right heel against the creature. Lyris turned suddenly as she had been directed. Patrick smiled, she understood how to move the Mare, though she was still white-knuckling the reins more than she needed to. “Halt!” Patrick shouted his last order. Alevadra pulled back on the reins quickly, but she pulled back to suddenly and too sharply. Lyris neighed loudly, lifting her front hooves from the ground and throwing Alevadra to the ground. A sudden thud and gasp was all the noise Alevadra made. The wind was knocked out of her as she hit the earth. “Ale!” Patrick shouted, Gent galloped towards the squire quickly; Patrick dismounted before Gent had even come to a full stop. Ale was sitting up slowly as Patrick dismounted, rubbing the back of her head and taking in a deep inhale of breath. “I’m fine, just had the wind knocked out of me, hit my head a little, but it’s fine now.” Alevadra said quickly, getting to her feet and brushing herself off. Patrick sighed, a look of relief only lasted a few moments before it was replaced with annoyance. “Do not pull back so hard, a lighter pull works just as well, and it won’t cause this unfortunate result.” “Yes, Sur. Sorry to have worried you, I will not make that mistake again.” Alevadra’s brown eyes quickly looked down to the ground, shamed. “Well, at least you’re alright, come on, I’ll race you back to the gates, then we can have lunch and forget about this embarrassing incident.” Patrick smiled and patted the top of Ale’s head. The knight quickly mounted Gent again while Alevadra mounted Lyris. “Ready, set... Go!” Gent took off much faster than Lyris, his stride was longer than hers as well. Alevadra knew from the start there was no way for her to beat Patrick, but she still tried, galloping behind him and losing ground. Patrick reached the gates before Ale did, she slowly down to a halt properly this time, pulling lightly on the reins and leaning back slightly, Lyris slowed down to a halt next to Gent. “Alright, then, to the stables then lunch! I’m famished!” Patrick said with a wide, beaming smile that was contagious. Alevadra smiled back to her patron knight and nodded. “Lunch it is. Your treat I hope?” Alevadra joked as the two headed back to the stables. -FIN-

[Ataraxia]

Alevadra Druva XP Animal Husbandry + 2, Observation + 4, Rhetoric + 3, Riding + 5 Lore Punctual and Peppy | The proper way to prepare a horse | The proper way to ride at speed | Discovering a horse's rythym | Gettin' bucked | Riding (basic) Comments Great training thread! I really appreciate the fact that you showed your character performing poorly in the beginning, and constantly needing to be reminded how to do things correctly. Not only does it make for a more entertaining read, but more realistic as well. I look forward to more threads in the future! Though, you may want to watch your HTML in some areas, as it was broken in a few spots and you had some coding in your posts. Obviously, this isn't a real big deal, but there was one point where I got distracted by it... which made me sad, because I was enjoying the thread! You may consider putting in a darker color frame in the background of your posts as well, as it will make the text colors you've chosen easier to read (at least for me).