Papa Needs a New Pair of Shoes

by **Azmere** on August 2nd, 2016, 2:37 am

74th of Summer, 516 AV
5th Bell

Syna was yet to rise but there was much ado in Tent City. Wagons were being loaded, animals herded along or caged, merchants were making last counts and spouses were saying silent goodbyes. The annual caravan was almost ready to leave for the Kabrin road where they will meet a cavalcade of knights and merchants from Syliras. This was an important journey for the Drykas. They get a good amount of wood on this journey and more basic metal items like cookware as well as stock for arms and armament or crafts. The horseclans also made quite a good profit by taking trained hunting companions, unique food items like dried meats and cheeses and the many crafts like woven materials, leather goods or carved media.

The young Ankal rolled over and placed his bare feet on the furs he had spread out around his bed. There was very little light within the small tent but enough for him to blink away the sleep and take in his surroundings. At his feet was his faithful hound, Grey, snoring away and idly kicking his feet as he chased game in his dreams. A subtle shift behind the man caused the watchman to twist at his waist. His left hand went down against the blanket made of wolf furs and stroked the covered thigh of Firenze. A bit of Syna’s first rays burst through the slits of the flap and danced through the soft dust of the environment before alighting onto the golden hair and smooth skin of the kelvic. Azmere created a mental picture as this would be the first time they would part for more than a day since the two had come together. Weeks ago, she had invaded his dreams and since then the Drykas had come to accept her presence and now felt as if he might miss it; or rather the tug in his chest affirmed that he would miss her.

6th Bell

The plains of grass howled with a strong wind which was a welcomed relief from the recent heat. The Watch had been assigned as escort and two patrols were discussing plans for the best approach as well as what they hoped to buy from the knights. Azmere was among them and while he had a small list, his mind was on the trek north; trade would be handled at the appropriate time. There was so much turmoil in recent seasons that the archer wanted to make sure everything went smoothly. Unlike missions and tasks in the past, Azmere now had things to lose. He was an ankal with a budding family that depended on him which was full of relationships that required not only his presence but his love and devotion as well.

The Watchman listened closely to his Tavekh, Aris as final instructions were made. Azmere and two other men were to ride Eagle which was equal to that of a scouting party. The scarred man adjusted the yvas on his young mare, Skylla and whispered to her what she could expect in the journey ahead. He pulled some sourgrass and held it under her snout for a few ticks while she sniffed his hand and its contents. The strider paused then began to munch away greedily on the bitter, yet savory plant much to the delight of her Drykas. Azmere went about a series of checks starting with his rucksack which he lashed to the yvas. He had some dried meat, a full water skin, traveler’s rations and some water additive. There was also a spare set of arrows with a variety of heads wrapped in a blanket. He sorted through his yvas bags next checking for a spare set of pants, spare boots, rope, tarp and his bedroll. He had debated buying a second tent to bring along but had spoken with one of the wagon drivers and made several arrangements. First was for passage of his goods on the return journey and second was that he allowed Azmere use of the wagon for shelter. The archer figured he could drape his tarp off to one side or just sleep underneath the cart itself.

Finally, the warrior set about adjusting his personal gear. Azmere had already donned his quiver and bow but had elected to leave his armor and club in the yvas. Now that he was to be Eagle, he felt it unwise to be unprotected so he stripped off his shirt, the quiver and removed his bow. He set the weapons down but tucked the shirt into his ruck. He unhooked his chestpiece from the back of his yvas and slid his arms into it. He pulled it around his body and quickly fastened the latches on the side and gave each key a few twists to tighten the armor so it wouldn’t move as he rode. Then he took out his bracers and attached them to his body much in the same manner. He pounded each knuckle cover into the opposite palm a few times to test his knots then dug around until he found his club. The Drykas took the bulky weapon and set it across the front of the yvas looping the weapon’s tie around the leather handle. Before he slipped Vihar over his head and shoulder, Azmere adjusted his hood, tied his quiver to his right hip then climbed up onto his strider. Aris was riding up and down the line of wagons. As soon as he gave the word, Eagle would soar and the caravan would follow.

NoteWhen the last person posts, make mention of the convoy setting off. We can make several posts in this thread to gather various skills but the actual trade thread will take place in separate thread which will be going up soon.
Word Count920

by **Amunet** on August 2nd, 2016, 2:53 pm

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Ledger:
strider mare, trained, grey dun, 14.2h | 300gm, 0sm, 0cm | 562gm, 9sm, 0cm
Linen poet blouse, white, lace trimmed, silver beading| 40gm, 0sm, 0cm | 522gm, 9sm, 0cm
silver chain, 20 inch | 5gm, 0sm, 0cm| 517gm, 9sm, 0cm
2 inch silver holy symbol pendant | 5gm, 0sm, 0cm | 512gm, 9sm, 0cm
shortbow arrows, common 40 | 2gm, 0sm, 0cm | 510gm, 9sm, 0cm

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5th Bell

The annual trade caravan and meeting between the Drykas and Syliras were heading out. The organized chaos of the gathering of the various merchants packing their goods, the culling of livestock to be sold and profit from was slowly taking shape on the west end of Endrykas. This was not an unusual thing for the ruby clan merchants. There were other traders amongst them but most of them was with the ruby clan crafters. Amunet rose with the crack of dawn to prepare for the journey. Her growing experience of traveling as a healer for these events made her the easy choice to go on this venture. It being a low key affair, she decided to take her little brother Drak. He had never seen the Sylirian Knights and had heard stories about them.

The Drykas Healer had purchased a second strider recently having found her mare being with foal. A secondary mount was necessary as once Shetanae was to a certain stage, she shouldn’t be riden too hard or carry a lot of weight. She was riding the new strider and Drak would ride Shetanae. The older mare was most careful with children and protective. This did allow her to make sure she packed medical supplies for human and animal. She may not be a veterinarian but she could patch up a strider if necessary to stabilize them. Humans she could handle most issues between her skills and the grace of Rak’keli.

The young woman woke Drak up out of his sleeping mat to get him dressed and packed what he needed before packing her personal belongings. The girl took anything sensitive with her such as the leather sheaf of that strange magic in pictographs. That item, more often than that not, was kept within her clothes and tucked into her belt against her skin. The young lad rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and rolled their bed rolls up while his sister packed the striders for the trade caravan. He didn’t complain one bit as this time he was getting to go with her.

Amunet took the time to carefully braid the sides of her hair to keep it back from her face. The young Healer wanted no mistake of who and what she is. She packed extra clothes as she didn’t know when they would be able to wash clothes next. The nice clothes was also packed as meeting another city, one must put one’s best foot forward. One of the four man tents was packed and loaded onto the new strider. The girl was careful how she packed Shetanae giving her knee consideration. Her arms went around that great big head of the older mare who turned out to be a calming influence to the new mare. In short order, the girl helped Drak behind the yvas on Shetanae and she swung up easily onto the shorter mare she called Toite. Loosely translated, it meant smoke or smokey. The little thing was fast and could turn on her hind quarters just as quickly. Camile and Leia started moving on either side of their procession flanking the two riders. The two animals albeit different species both loved to run. Camile was a sight hunter and Leia was a hunting cat that was growing in speed who also used sight to hunt.

The young lady had her slingshot with a pouch of shots. The girl can pick up stones as she comes across them for additional amo. The bow was on shetanae. Not that she was any good with it, but additional bow and quiver of arrows. The ignorant girl bought 40 arrows, just regular arrows. The trader tried to explain the different tips, but it didnt make sense at the time. The two daggers she normally carried was on her belt close to each other. Her pouch of coin that also had suture needles, lucky stones, a key or two, sewing needles and other odds and ends that was too small to be anywhere else. The Healer had no armor to speak of and lightly weaponed, but she felt as safe as anything and ready to confront the world. Much to the chagrin of the poor Tavehk Aris. The young doctor/healer liked Aris. He was all gruff on the outside. The hardened shell that he used to do his work, yet he cared for his people. That was what it appeared to the red head. She did respect him as he got all of them safely to the mines and back.

The sixth bell saw the vibrant color of the red locks flowing with the morning winds back behind her like a banner. The girl guided Toite towards Aris to check in with him. There was a brief exchange as he advised her where her position was in the caravan. It was unclear if it was relief or concern that the spirited Healer was chosen to go with this adventure considering the last one she was on with Aris. That red head did come in handy at times. Aris couldn’t deny that. With relaxed ease she moved her little group into position. Those starburst eyes of gold within the light blue caught those starbursts of Azmere. The girl smiled as she waved at the warrior.

Her attention was turned briefly as a couple of people came to her from the River Flower with the additional supplies for her to pack. The girl dismounted to adjust for the additions as she inspected them and took her yvas bag and pack down to repack. The Healer thanked them before they went off back towards Endrykas.

“Ami, why do you need so much stuff.” The boy asked innocently

“Drak, you prepare for the worst and hope for the best. If I use none of this, fine. The rest of this is to be traded with Sylrias.” The woman looked at her little brother who was sitting on Shetanae. The mare shot her a look that spoke volumes. The boy brought out the increasing maternal nature of the older mare. Not that she needed the help but pregnancy agreed with the mare. “You take it easy Shetanae. “ The little lady couldn’t resist giving her bonded mare affection for a few moments. It wasn’t like they were in a hurry.

The boys eyes widened. “All of this for trade?” The kid looked at the expanse of people, the gathered barrels boxes and livestock, and tried to imagine the whole thing. “You think I will get to see any Knights.” He said with excitement.

Amunet couldn’t help but giggle a moment at her brother’s enthusiasm. “I hope so for your sake or you’re going to bust out the seams with excitement. “ The little lady teased him a little. It felt good to smile. It was far too infrequent.

by **Pulren Marsh** on August 8th, 2016, 9:18 am

As the days became shorter and noticeably cooler, especially in the evenings, a great sense of excitement and anxiety had started filling Pulren's innards. He always had the sense of the sea and its location in relation to his own since his marking. He knew that his time with the horse clans was at an end and he would now rejoin the humans that he already was comfortable with. Well, mostly. Sylirans were a stark and stinky lot, but nevertheless, they had a grand harbor, rivaled only by that of Zeltiva.

Packing hadn't been much of an issue, considering that in the time he had spent with the Watch, his status as a guest protector kept his days too busy to get very comfortable. Most of his shyke was still as expertly packed as it had been the whole time. Just had passed from one caravan to another. Now, when he got to Syliras, he clearly planned on stretching out a little. It would be a little more like civilization to him. His eyes and entire profile faced north, the knowledge of the direction evident from that sixth sea sense. He knew that he would soon be among his ocean family once more. The idea of being specifically in the Suvan was even more exciting, as it brought to mind many rumors and stories of the Svefra and other tales of Laviku.

Once he was all packed up, there was little hesitation but to get ready to go. He saw little Amunet was coming along. It was nice to have a healer present and it was nicer to have her to ogle. She wouldn't appreciate that much.

A Gossamer Template

by **Azmere** on August 25th, 2016, 11:22 pm

8th Bell

Azmere spent a fair amount of time just sitting on the back of his horse, Skylla and making faces at Grey. He could have sworn that everything was ready but with most things, there were complications. One young man’s mother arrived to give him more dried fruit and nuts for his journey as well as weep over him while trying to break his neck in a motherly embrace. Aris sorted this out and as relieved as the ward happened to be, the young man was conscious not to make eye contact with very many of the older men; the red in his cheeks explained as much. Syna was climbing higher and no one had given the order to depart. The ankal looked around at some of the others in the Watch. Most were young; younger than he was when he joined so it made sense that patience would be in short supply in times like these.

Finally, after much ado about nothing (apparently, someone thought it wise to put a wagon full of goats next to a wagon of woven goods), Aris rode to the front of the column and shouted the command for to depart. Azmere along with his canine companion and the other two riders designated Eagle took off. What started as a quick trot soon turned into a full gallop. The archer gripped the yvas handle firmly with his right hand and stood using his knees to support his weight. Skylla loved to ride hard but the trick, her rider knew, was to ride hard without burning out. The young mare was exuberant but lacked the craft of a more seasoned strider. The intuition was there but the wisdom has yet to be instilled. An expert rider, Azmere made sure to use his body to control her speed by keeping his rhythm consistent. The drawing of his hand on the yvas, the squeeze of his legs and the shifting of his weight with every gallop had to be in sync so that his mount could feel the pattern and assimilate to it. This was more work than it seemed and certainly more than the ankal had committed to riding in recent times but he found the concentration involved enthralled him.

The riders on either side of him were young and through quick sideways glances, the Ra’athi was able to watch them and pick up small nuances that might otherwise be missed. Sparrow was on his left. Even with all of the time they’ve spent together, Azmere had never noticed that the man leaned forward with a twist that favored his left side. That would explain the quickness the man had one his initial spear. Sparrow carried three short spears but his first toss was always the strongest. Azmere smirked and turned his head to see his other companion, Aiyena Shadowsmile. The archer had not had much occasion to ride with the young woman. She was petite but fair and kept her black hair cropped very short. True to her name, one would never suspect the young lass a threat and she certainly wouldn’t raise any eyebrows. The fact that she was one of the deadliest people in all of the Horseclans seemed wholly unbelievable. To her credit, Azmere had never seen her armed. It’s rumored that Aiyena won’t leave her tent without six blades and yet he could find none. Making a mental note, the ankal focused on the space in front of him.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

13th Bell

After several bells of riding, Azmere gauged it was time for them to stop. Everyone knew the first leg of the journey would be easy but that didn’t mean they had to outrun the caravan. He shouted to get the attention of his companions. He waved his arm in a motion that was universally understood as slow down. The young mare resisted the tug on her yvas so Azmere sat upright and pulled back on the handle again but also gripped her mane and gave that a steady tug backwards as well. That seemed to be enough and the strider slowed down to a quick trot and then to just a brisk walk. Grey was more than happy to slow down as well. His tongue was nearly dragging on the ground but like most dogs, he continued to bear his smile.

The watchman waited for his colleagues to slow down and join in the line beside him. Though each of them had attained the rank of Ra’athi, most of the common rank deferred to Azmere since his age and experience lent him wisdoms the young folk had yet to attain. The older Drykas looked to his peers and could see they were waiting on the next order. Given the height of Syna, the caravan had probably stopped for a midday break at this point. The prudent thing to do would be to take a break and then take turns scouting the web to make sure the area was safe. They could also check on the caravan’s progress.

The archer turned Skylla up and around to face the other two watch members. Grey pranced about between the feet of the horses but once they stopped moving, he flopped down onto his belly but kept his head and ears alert. The scarred face of the young ankal looked at each one and gave a nod. He signed that they were going to stop and rest. “We’ll eat then search the Web.” His fingers twisted into the signs for danger, caravan and campsite. Aiyena nodded and immediately dismounted. The young woman was not used to riding that hard for that long which was obvious from the stiffness in her walk. She quickly removed the yvas from her strider, a big brown stallion, and set it upon the grass. Sparrow and Azmere followed suit. Each person tended to their striders first before doing anything for themselves. The archer added an extra step and used a waterskin to give Grey all the water he could lap up. He then went through his pack and dug out some dried venison which he shared with his canine. The next bell passed quickly as the small scouting party took a break. After everyone had their fill of food and drink, it was time to get back to work.

NoteI am using this as a job thread. You guys can make whatever you want in terms of NPCs, objects, plots, etc.
Word Count1972