Trials of a Tempest

by **Haena** on January 16th, 2017, 7:58 pm

77th Winter, 516 AV
Evening
"Speech"
"Others"

It was dark. Darker than she liked, and Alta' agreed. The Winter's night didn't feel like it was Winter at all. That was a theme repeated every day ever since the turn of the season and the revelation of Morwen's absence. Haena shuddered and pulled her flapping hood further over her head as she gently stroked Alta's shivering flank. Her poor Strider wasn't a particularly anxious horse, and most Striders were made of strong stuff. But this was a storm, and Alta' was restless, shuffling and blinking against the tempestuous winds that curled around the tent and the figure of the woman and horse stood behind it.

Lightening flashed with a dull, quick light in the racing clouds above. Half a chime later, the thunder rolled loud, deeper than anything else in Mizahar. Haena's heart throbbed in sympathy with the rawness of the storm, every sense alight. It wasn't raining at the moment, but the clouds above were heavy with water. Besides, the storm more than made up for it with the fierce winds pulling and pushing like grasping hands that were unable to keep still. The wind was truly like another entity, and Haena's mind was full of prayer. To Zulrav, to keep them safe. Caiyha, to protect the land and the horses. Haena glanced at her pavilion, saw the faint light emanating from within. Thankfully her children were safe inside. She would check in on them later, but for now she looked after her horse.

It was still difficult to realise that she wasn't in the Opal Clan any more. The usual sights that she had got used to over the years were no more. Instead, she was here, at the Stormblood Pavilion. Even though she had been here for a while now, it was still weird. It was even more odd in the storm. The light was faint, mostly from the wavering lantern light nestled close to Haena in the relative shelter created by the bulk of the tent behind her. The other tents of the pavilion loomed out of the darkness, unfamiliar. What confused the woman the most was the distinct lack of Epaiza's tent.

She missed her sister. She had yet to properly integrate into the Stormbloods, and she felt like an outsider, still. Haena jerked from her thoughts suddenly as thunder boomed loud above her head, and a fat raindrop landed on the fabric of the pavilion. Oh no. Alta' whinnied, and Haena patted her nose. She opened her mouth to speak, but the wind carried her voice away as soon as she started. Again she spoke, louder, her voice cracking as she strained to let her horse hear. "It's okay Alta', calm girl!"

Then the rain broke, like a wound being forcefully ripped apart, and the intensity of the sound burst upon her eardrums and pushed her hood down onto her head, instantly soaking her.

Click Me :

Boxcode credit: Azmere

by **Taurina** on February 6th, 2017, 7:14 am

Darkness came and consumed everything. Massive clouds of dark greys that occasionally became filled with lightning made it impossible to see past to the moon and stars. A storm was raging. Thunder roared and though her mare was bound to be restless, Taurina was curled up within herself.

It did not matter that a pavilion surrounded her now or that her colorsplash probably needed her. The chains of fear were stronger than that of iron. Despite the storms being so frequent through the past seasons, she had not grown used to them. She had not grown used to Leth’s light being so far from her reach. When the storm had consumed the day it had not been nearly as crippling, but instead had just aided in creating the fear she held now. When the storm did not let up, when Leth’s light was nothing but the faintest of white glows against the angry clouds, she had curled up on her bed roll with the decision not to get back up again till it was over.

Sometimes the Ethaefal wished that she could sleep during the night to pass all the time of these these storms. She was weary enough, but sleep did not come during the night hours. Instead she was left with a deep, burning hunger that consumed her and left her near immobile. She was reminded of that nightmarish day not long ago now when the storms came. The day when Syna’s light had turned to Leth and then there had just been nothing. He left and only a hole remained. The images of herself mocked her, telling her it was her fault their lord was gone. Her fault his light could not pierce through the veil of darkness because she had killed him.

The images had not been real. She had been able to convince herself of that many, many bells afterwards when Leth had been high up in the heat lightning filled sky. Now though, that fear she felt during that fog filled day returned every time there was a storm. She was scared that one of these days Leth would just be consumed by the dark and he would never come back again. A foolish fear, but fear was rarely rational.

One of the horse’s screamed and Taurina’s body tensed. She knew it was likely hers for the colorsplash was weaker than the others. She was no strider and it showed. Not only in her speed, but during times like these. The Ethaefal knew she should be out there. She should be working to calm her restless and likely terrified horse as the others were likely doing with theirs. She knew that she should not be secluding herself here within the canvas walls of her part of the pavilion, but should be with the others. Allow them in. Show them this vulnerable, fearful piece of herself. Allow herself to trust them... all of them.

A tremor in her hands started up when she heard another shrill shriek of what was likely her horse outside. Melody was alone and she was being a poor example of a horsewoman by staying in here and not caring for the animal. Taurina brought a hand to her mouth where she bit down on her long thumbnail, her trembling hand causing her to feel a vibration in her mouth. She sucked in a breath and released the thumbnail, balling both hands into determined fists instead. The Ethaefal stood on unsure legs before she walked towards her boots. Her moonlight hair hung in limp knots and braids that got caught up in her ink colored horns, but she did not mind just then. Her mind had been made up so she was going to get wet anyway.

Another chime passed and Taurina just idly stood there staring at nothing and listening to the rain beat against the fabric ceiling of her tent. It was several more ticks before -finally- another breath was sucked in and she worked to release the canvas “door” of her tent. Soon it was free and Taurina moved outside into the warm, winter storm. It was worse outside where the darkness and rain consumed everything. Taurina trembled, but not because she was cold or wet, but because of the fear. Because when she looked up, Leth was no where to be seen.

Each step came with its own set of challenges. Somehow, the Ethaefal kept herself moving. It was not long before the horses and other animals came into view. Taurina could see at least one of the Stormbloods was already out here working to calm her horse. It was too dark for Taurina to know which of her new family it was exactly without her going to get a closer look. She might have done just that, except that Melody was in a panic that Taurina knew was her job to calm. The horse had already gone through colic earlier in the season which made Taurina worry that this stress would cause it to happen again.

“Melody!” Taurina shouted to grab the mare’s attention after she got closer, it worked and caused the horse to take pause long enough for the Eth to safely moved up beside the mare, “it is okay darling, just another storm.”

The Ethaefal reached out and placed a trembling hand against her mare’s soaking wet, but warm neck. The mare was calmer under Taurina’s touch for there was a familiarity there, a comfort. They were not bonded, Melody was not a strider, but there was something there. They knew each other for they had been through much together. The two understood each other. At least, Taurina believed that they did.

“I know, I know. I’m sorry,” Taurina pressed a forehead against the mare’s neck, rain soaking them both through to the bone, “I should have come sooner. I’m sorry.”

Common | Pavi | 'Thoughts'

Boxcode credit goes to Azmere

by **Azmere** on February 9th, 2017, 2:01 am

It had been a season of storms. The loss of Morwen’s touch had really done a number on the psyche of the Drykas people. The arrival and presence of the priests had led to an odd connection that helped some to reaffirm their faith while others were drawn to the benevolent and omniscient message touted by Jonas Pridesun. Azmere was beside himself to see another rift form in the midst of the horseclans. It was as if they were destined to fight amongst themselves forever. The stubborn ankal rolled around on his mat and kicked at the furs and blankets with his bare feet. He had not been sleeping well all season but the past week or so had become the worst of it.

The wind whistled through cracks in his canvas and seams left untended. For a man who had a decent amount of wealth (at least in comparison to some), the patron Stormblood lived in a rather meager state. He had thought about hiring an architect to design a pavilion for the whole family and the incessant noises from the oncoming storm had sealed the deal. He would track down that Gloaming fellow in the next few days and see what the artist had to say. Maybe having a single roof would help bond the handful of strays that had found shelter under the Stormblood knot.

Azmere was pulled from his thoughts as thunder boomed and lightning backlit his residence. Grey perked and some of the horses began to call out as well as the goats. Rufio’s goats. The blackness of night hid the scowl on the watchman’s face. A holes in his canvas was from one of the Uhs or Ahs or whatever she called them. The sudden pelting of rain added itself to the symphony of Zulrav’s fury and the Drylas knew he wasn’t going to get any more sleep tonight.

With practiced movements, Azmere rolled over and slipped into his leather britches. Then he stepped into his boots and started gathering his gear. The heavy rain wouldn’t cause any harm to his leather chestpiece which had a hood made of the same, finely-tanned material. The ankal had barely worn his armor because the winter had been so hot but the downpour provided the perfect time to showcase the benefits of a sturdy piece of hide.

Grey popped up and padded around near the entrance flap. Azmere could hear his companion pacing back and forth and quickly decided to not fight with the dog over the matter. Normally, the ankal would be inclined to make the dog stay and watch over camp but not tonight. The storm was exceptional and so the approach towards rules would also be. The man strapped on his belt and tucked in the dagger that he had received from Merevaika in a trade. The metal was etched with a big swirl; a familiar sensation to the weathered hands. There was something that made him smile every time he touched it. Suited and booted, the archer made his way out into the angry elements to check on the status of his herd –animals and people alike.

The driving droplets pelted against the leather hood and made an interesting gallop which echoed softly in the man’s ears. Rather than head straight towards his own strider, Azmere slipped between his tent and Lo’s and made his way into the darkness with the ever-faithful hound at his side. If anyone had managed to see him despite the black leather trappings, she might think the man crazy. Who wanders off into a storm in the middle of the night anyway?

The ankal stood twenty feet away from where all of the horses had congregated. He watched a hooded figure emerge and comfort her mount. The cloaked figure didn’t strike any chords of familiarity but Azmere had heard the strider’s name and knew it to belong to Haena. The young herbalist had found Azmere through a chance encounter where the watchman had observed her anger and bitter disdain for some of the less savory characters but he also witnessed her strength amidst the adversity a shattered pavilion can bring. When the time came where she asked for his banner of protection, Azmere did not have to consider for very long. He welcomed her and her children. It was nice to have the young lad and his sister along for the group’s adventures –though Rufio and Lodai certainly did their best to act as kids.

Azmere watched Haena for a moment or two; the shattering claps of thunder posed a rough time for the horses and other animals though the cats had found places to hide and the goats cowered beneath Ixzo’s wagon. It was then that the scarred man noticed another figure braving the perilous night to tend her steed; Taurina. The silvery hair was unmistakable in the brief flashes of blinding light. He was too far away to read her face but the rainbow starbursts could picture the pony and rider shaking in unison. Taurina was a special girl but fear gripped her life and it was something that her ankal hoped she would overcome in time. The woman was getting soaked in her dealings. It did seem to be paying off, however, as Melody calmed at the touch of her human. This made Azmere smile. He reached down and gave Grey a big squeeze on the scruff of the dog’s neck then started back for his tent.

Azmere clicked his tongue quietly against the back of his teeth. A lull in the storm might allow someone to hear it but it was unlikely. The canine heard, however, and followed behind as he was beckoned. The watchman used his dark attire and the storm to move quickly and quietly back to camp and around to his personal pavilion. He traveled a path that would keep him out of view of the women and slipped back into his tent. Once there, he gathered a winter blanket which was heavy enough to shed water for quite some time and a few carrots* for the horses. Grey lifted his icy pale eyes to his master but the dark surround of the canvas prevented any exchange.

Once the watchman had the items he had intended to retrieve, he left the tent again. This time, he paused at the entrance and stared at his companion. Grey shook out his fur and cast miniature raindrops everywhere then sat down. Apparently, the dog had enough of his nighttime stroll. Azmere did not like this and snapped his fingers twice then pointed at the ground. He moved his hands with such rigidity that he assumed the dog could hear his straightened finger physically move through the air and point downward. Whatever it was worked and the animal rose then moved outside into the rain and muck once more. The pair circled around and out of the camp then came back down silently towards the gathered animals and the pair of women. The archer and his hunter approached from the city’s center and walked just outside of arm’s reach of either woman when lightning tore the black night asunder for a moment.

“Mind if we join you?” Azmere spoke. Without torches, he hoped they would recognize his voice. The ankal extended his hand to reveal a bundle of carrots which would help ease the horses. Feeding a scared animal not only serves to reinforce a bond of trust but it gives the creatures something else to focus on rather than the current stimuli which frightens them. Once the vegetables were taken, the weathered hands of the watchman would shake out the heavy wool blanket and drape it around the Eth’s shoulders and over her head.

“We can’t have you falling ill, zulkina.” Azmere accented his words by giving the girl a firm but not hard squeeze on both shoulders then turned to Haena’s direction and studied her demeanor from close range. “Is there an herb that can be found the morning after a harsh rain which might be useful?” It was a strange comment but the scarred man had learned very early in his time as ankal that the amount of knowledge in the world was beyond a single person’s understanding. So he learned to ask questions which most would not. He had built an insatiable desire to learn and found that odd circumstances always presented opportunities to discover new things.

While he waited for a response, the man reached down and scratched the big, wet skull of Grey who was standing quietly against Azmere’s right leg. It was then that Skylla approached. Whether it was the smell or carrots or the sound of Azmere was up for debate. The man stuffed one of the yellow-orange roots towards the mare who chomped on it greedily. This provided the perfect opportunity for her rider to give her a nice scratch along her jaw.

*Noted in Ledger, Winter 516

by **Rufio** on February 11th, 2017, 11:53 am

　　　　　　 h o w l i n g

　　　　　　　　　　　　—the wind gushed across the steppe, ferocious tantrum, wild temper. Rufio's mind's eye flickered with the gaunt face of a stranger. Patter-patter-patter-patter. Pulsed her heart, her blood gushing into her limbs with adrenaline, manic quivering shook her. The stranger's face, flesh melting and scorched, haunted her thoughts.

　　　　　　　The Dark One is near. The stranger's death rattle wheezed in her ear, as if his charred lips were perched right at her shoulder. The fortune-teller shuddered violently, got up from hers and Ixzo's bed furs. She had not undressed for sleep yet, glad of the hide leggings and crochet vest as she strode meaningfully towards the doorway.

　　　　　　　Sought the storm.

　　　　As she slipped into woven leather moccasins an odd anger roiled in her gut. Whence it came she didn't know, didn't care to fathom. Let the Storm roil in her veins, she thought.
As if to answer the dark brow that furrowed in her features, the thunder cracked tension into the din. The fortune-teller twisted a ward into her fingers.

She sucked in a steadying breath, before ducking out into the wind. Zulrav's fingers grasped at her jaw and whipped at her mane, dancing wild like charcoal fire in the dim. The wind whisked her breath away and made her ochre gaze wide with reverence.

A cast of concerned eyes to the goats told her their herd instinct kept them well in this weather. They huddled, quivering nervously under Ixzo's wagon. Relief seeped across the fortune-teller's shoulders. The does were all in kid, though with the trials of the season, they were undoubtedly struggling.

Rufio had sleepless nights worrying over them, like a grandmother over her brood. This season was teaching her that she tended to her animal chores not enough, relying too heavily on Asher and Jasmine. Silently she made promise, to be a better care-taker. I will be goat-mother.

As she padded towards the tiny herd, she let her voice fall into her mother's tongue, Shiber tumbling off her lips like melody. Rufio had found the language a lullaby to herd animals. Loha had drifted off to sleep one afternoon as she told him tales in her mother's tongue.

The does leaned their horned heads towards her open palms as she hunkered down with them under the wagon. The fortune-teller crawled in with her herd and sat herself cross-legged among their swelling bellies. Duh, the gentle ginger, lay down beside her and lay her head in Rufio's lap as she sung in Shiber.

"Hush, children, don't you fret
The Storm is here,
He is well met;
Battered down are home and herd.
Listen, children,
hear the sands;
on the wind is bid
Yahal's Word..."

The fortune-teller knew not what possessed her to sing of Yahal in a tempest of Zulav's making. Speaking in her mother's tongue brought her closer to that heritage. Benshira buried deeply under her Drykas-marked skin.

As if called by her voice, Loha, Rufio's burly red-dun, ambled towards the wagon. So when Rufio glanced out towards his convex face peering in under the wheels, she caught a glimpse of the Stormblood women standing in the storm amid their horses.

Her gaze sought Ixzo's Semes, which huddled against Azmere's tent with Lodai's Atavan, whose inky hide almost blending with the dimming light. It was then that her peripheral vision caught a shadowy figure melding with the dim, passing between the canvas.

Rufio started lightly, turned her freckled face to see better. Nothing was there now. Anxious thoughts gnawed at her, fear trickling like ice down the bones of her spine. The fortune-teller muttered a prayer to Yahal, returned to her hymn as the goats began to bleat earnestly.

Looking out through the wind, when her gaze alighted on Taurina and Haena she saw that Azmere had joined them and relief chased her anxiety away at the sight of her Ankal. Whatever the shadowy figure, her Ankal was here now. Protector.

Lo, as she realised a certain spotted-rump missing from the foray of animals, her worry spiked in her belly. Where is Sakita? Rufio's voice wavered as she repeated the lullaby to the goats and her gaze lit on a equine figure in the distance.

The zavian mare had drifted out to Sea. Lit by a flash of lightning that ripped across the sky, her shrieks carried by the winds. The zavian was pawing at ghosts, her russet mane tossed wild, nostrils flared, teeth bared, eyes wide with fright.

　　　　　　Rufio faltered in her song, her breath sharp with rising panic. She did not want to leave the goats but feared for her mare. "Loha-" Her ochre gaze sought his deeply brown. When he gazed at her, she gestured a sign towards the balking mare. "Get Sa." Find, protect, stand guard.

The strider pulled back his ears and grunted. Rufio wasn't sure if he understood, or if it was a refusal. Panic fluttered in her gut, where it gathered with that mysterious temper. As if when she breathed, she breathed in the storm and the tempest settled in her gut, roiling there.

　　　　　　　Rufio gestured for Loha to stay, guard instead. When the stallion tossed his head and peered at the goats the fortune-teller took it as a sign that he would watch over the does. With that, she climbed out from under the wagon.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Buffeted by the wind, the braids in her hair were torn loose and her cropped mane raked by the persistent fingers. "Sakita!" She yelled into the howl, cupping her jaw with her hands, hoping to catch her family's attentions, she gestured to the mare with wide signs of help, danger.

The fortune-teller pushed her heel into the mud and lunged into a sprint. Zulrav rushed at her with a bout of defiant force, Rufio felt her risen foot almost swept out from under her and cried out. Gritting her teeth with determination, she fought with the wind.

　　　　　Tearing through Zulrav's clinging grasp, with effort she pumped her arms encouraging momentum, feeling a burn there, she ran against the wind. Rain soaked into her leggings and the wool of her vest, though she hardly noticed it.

Making her way towards the gathered Stormbloods, while skittish Sakita brayed in the thunder beyond.

　　　　

by **Haena** on March 17th, 2017, 6:32 pm

"Speech"
"Others"

Haena gritted her teeth as rainwater beat down on her face and exposed hands as she comforted Alta'. The strider was faring better now that the Drykas was there, but even so, the unnatural weather would frighten anyone. It made her nervous, certainly, prayers to Zulrav to keep them safe never far from her lips. A horse screamed, and Haena instinctively pressed her lips to Alta's forehead, heart momentarily stopping. The next tick her head was whipping around, anxiously searching. An animal in terror was a horribly painful sound to hear, and she let out a whimper in sympathy. It was Taurina's horse, some distance away. Haena steeled herself, frantically stroking Alta', and pulled her hood further over her soaking butterscotch hair. Then she stepped out into the full wrath of the storm, leading Alta' with them.

As she walked at the pace of moving earth through the winds that slammed against them, she noticed with a flood of relief that the silvery-haired woman was approaching her mount. Haena gripped her hood with one, soaking wet hand and the yvas with the other until they reached the woman. Alta' approached warily, softly whinnying, a sound that was carried away in the air. Haena gathered breath and spoke to the Ethaefal, "Taurina, are you alright?" The woman was a mystery to her, ever since she had realised she was an Ethaefal. Under the blanketed sky the woman's hair shimmered and her face, although filled with something like fear, was beautiful. Yet she appeared to be shaking ever so slightly, and Haena couldn't help but adopt some of her fears and worries. The two stood close for a while, each tending to their horses in silence. Haena didn't know what to say to her, and so said nothing.

The storm shook her hood down whilst she wasn't paying attention, and then Azmere was suddenly there with a blanket for Taurina, carrots, and his great dog Grey. Haena wrung her hands violently to indicate she didn't mind, every movement exaggerated to counter the effects of the storm. She tried to say something, but fell short. Alta' was now chewing her gift of a carrot, looking less tense. Haena murmured, "Good girl", and Alta's ears twitched in a way that made her smile for a moment.

Thinking for a moment over Azmere's question, she shouted, "Perhaps! Unless the rain is too heavy, and washes away the grasses." She signed doubt, and was about to ask the assembled group if they wanted to drag together a makeshift storm shelter for the animals, when another horse screamed, somewhere in the darkness.

Haena shuddered, and immediately jerked her head up to look into the dark but it was no use. After the shriek had ended, there was no way to find it's source, as the tendrils of sound where carried away like dead leaves in the sky. "Who was..-" The question was cut short as the group finally recognised a figure, shouting and waving for their attention. The figure of Rufio, crying, "Sakita!"

She turned to stare at their Ankal, helplessness and indecision spreading across her face. Should they all go to help, or should someone stay with the animals they had gathered?

OOCI am so sorry this is basically a month late. :((

Hope you can forgive me!

Boxcode credit: Azmere

by **Taurina** on March 20th, 2017, 6:41 am

Rain soaked them through and wind tore at them, but Taurina stood firm in place with face hidden against Melody’s. The horse comforted her as much as she comforted it. Perhaps if she could not see that Leth was not there, she could pretend that he was there. Trick her mind into believing a lie. If it had not been for the storm, if it had only been dark out, it might have worked. But she knew to well of how he was not there. The Ethaefal let out a whimper, tangling fingers within Melody’s wild mane and drawing as much comfort as she could from the frightened mare. It was not much, it was not enough, but it was something.

Haena reached the pair first. Taurina heard her name, heard a question that made her actually want to laugh. ‘Am I alright? What a silly question. Do I look it?’ The Ethaefal was not nearly so mean outside of her head. In fact, she did not say anything for a long while. She simply drew her face from its hiding place and fixed an indigo gaze on the other Stormblood woman. Haena was quiet, tending to her strider. The Ethaefal did not know if it was her lack of answering the previous question or if the woman just did not know what to say. Maybe both or neither. Perhaps it was just the storm.

“I am alive,” there, an answer to the question was given, “alright.. that depends how you mean.”

A shiver moved through the Eth, but not from the cold. Though it was not very cold out, she did not understand why she was cold. Her guess was that it was the wet mixed with the wind and the night. With no light to keep her warm, it made sense that after some time she would become cold in such a storm. The tremor came from her terror, however. It would leave for mere moments and then return. Never giving her rest. Never allowing her to move past it.

She heard Azmere’s voice before she saw him. He came from behind and when his presence was made known, Taurina could not hide the slight startle it cause her. Shoulders raised, body lured slightly forward, and head turned round only to calm at the sight of her ankal. A small smile acted as her only response to his request before she untangled her hands from Melody’s mane and took some of the offered vegetables. She signed a thank you with her trembling hands before taking one of the carrots and reaching it out to her colorsplash. It was then, as the mare was taking the offered food eagerly, that Azmere covered her shoulders and head with a warm blanket.

“We can’t have you falling ill, zulkina.”

She knew that she would not for she never had before, but he was sweet to care. No one had cared for her before she had met him and he had brought her here. She did not tell him that she was safe from the ailments of mortals and instead accepted the offer of warmth while she let the pressure of his sure hands on her shoulders ease some of the fear that crippled her. Zulkina. That was a new word to her. Mouth opened to ask its meaning, but the ankal had moved on. There was a question about plants. Nothing the Ethaefal could answer. That was Haena’s territory.

Taurina used one hand to pull tight the wool blanket around her, her other hand peeking out and stroking Melody gently now that the carrots she had been given had been consumed. The horse was calmer and with their protector out here now, the Eth found she was as well. She took a moment, inhaled a breath, and focused on ending the tremor when another horse screamed into the storm ridden night sky. The terror started anew.

The Ethaefal wanted to run away and hide. Hide and not come back out until all had passed with earth and sky calm once more. Alas, that was not to be. Their creatures needed them and despite the fear that clawed at her heart, being with the other two did calm the woman enough to make it worth being out with them. Haena questioned what had caused the sound, but her question was answered before it could be fully finished. Taurina’s head whipped around when she heard Rufio’s call.

Eyes focused in on the half-Drykas who made large signs asking for help with the screaming mare. Rufio worked her way towards them, defying the wind that tried to stop her in her path. Taurina admired the woman’s strength and determination, but was unsure about this idea of giving help. It had been hard enough to get from her tent to Melody and now her feet felt frozen in place. The indigo gaze swept over to those who were with her. Azmere and Haena, the later looking to the former with the same questions and emotions the Ethaefal had written all over her face.

“Do all try to help?” her pavi was even more broken by fear and the storm, “I will try. Whatever you task me.”

She would try. If she would succeed.. that was the part that remained to be seen.

Common | Pavi | 'Thoughts'

Boxcode credit goes to Azmere

by **Azmere** on March 21st, 2017, 3:43 am

Azmere had been considering a few courses of action to huddle the animals in Lodai’s tent. The cats always found their way to Asher’s small dome of canvas for the old man had stores of dried meat that he’d toss them whenever he got up in the night to check on the rest of the livestock. Haena‘s response to his question also had whirling around the notion of keeping his eyes open until Syna returned. Not one for flights of fearful fantasies, Azmere was keenly aware that horrible things could happen at any moment in the Sea of Grass. Being washed away in a flash flood had never occurred to him but given the dry state of the world in recent seasons, he began to entertain the idea that the steppe may very well swallow them down with a big muddy drink.

A voice on the wind- sharp as a glassbeak’s talon, it caused the man to shrug his broad shoulders in a wince. When a boy is raised by a stormwarden, he doesn’t fear the wrath of a tempest. For Azmere, the thunder and lightning, the whipping winds and driving rains all combined into a beautiful symphony of life and it stimulated his spirit. The cry of panic and anguish was a foul note that drew his immediate attention and almost his ire but that was lost through the next revealing flash of light as the Father of Storms continued his display.

Rufio.

The contrasting gaze softened and a soft chuckle rolled past his lips as the right side of his face curled upwards in a grin. The archer heard the question and took a moment to gaze into the intense stare of Haena. His eyelids tightened for a moment which caused his encircled pupils to expand and giving life to the starbursts. She burned in color, now; a natural wave of wheat blended into her hair and highlighted her gaze as she sought silent guidance. Azmere gave her shoulder a squeeze then dropped his opposite foot back so it opened him up in a way that he could seem to enclose Haena and Taurina. His face turned towards Taurina and he gave her a warm expression to inhale. The silver horns blended into the large patch of silver that floated around her edges line she was backlit by Leth himself. Her lavender hair almost glowed with the illumination that only he could see but Azmere made sure to save the image for later.

“Wake Lodai.” The caring expression morphed into one of mischief. The watchman knew Lo could sleep through the Valterrian –rumor had it that the big bear actually slept through the djed storms of five hundred and twelve. “Move the horses into his tent but leave the goats under the wagon.” The ankal’s freehand now came up and gave both ladies a gentle ushering towards the pavilion of his friend. The flickering stars turned and gazed across the rolling hills. The Stormblood camp was on fire with many patches of colors and trails of creatures both two-legged and four. As he swept further out, there were bits and pieces of a few beings that left color here and a trace line there.

Further along the horizon line, a struggling figure was barreling down towards them. The man moved with an almost arrogant stride as he closed the distance between the frightened young woman, now soaked to the bone, and Azmere. His limp was prevalent but it did not hinder the ankal’s stride in any way. He caught her in his hands by her elbows and did his best to steady her. The rain continued to bounce off of his leather hood and chestpiece as he stared at her. Rufio’s colors seemed to shift even as Azmere drew in another breath of warm, moist air. This made his words catch in his throat but there was only a moment’s hesitation. “Help the others.” The archer drew the back of his hand against her forehead and then down her cheek to wipe some of the rain away. With a wink, he turned and walked back to Skylla.

Grey gave a nudge to his master for which he received a rough pat on the head. The wild, young mare came up and shoved Azmere with her snout. The move was unexpected as the rain masked the sound of her approach and it nearly pushed him off balance. “Hey!” A startled yell began a rapid turn that allowed the Drykas to catch the Strider by her neck. Skylla’s color was white. She was bathed in the bleached hue of a sun-baked death but her response to the awkward pause was a second toss of her head; one her rider was quick to avoid. No yvas needed, Azmere laced his fingers into the horse’s mane and swung his body up around her front leg and onto her back. It was a combination of jumping up and to the side while pulling on Skylla’s neck in a way that made her walk forward. The rain ran in rivulets along his toned and tattooed arms which was one of the only things anyone could see in the dark. The soaked leather breeches and black armored vest and hood made him all but disappear into the inky swirls of the storm.

Azmere turned and looked down to his canine companion and clicked his tongue against the back of his teeth twice. Grey’s pointed ears perked up and the dog took off running in the direction that Skylla was facing. The contrasting gaze, still twinkling with the magic of his stars, followed the icy blue trail which became more like dashes the further the ankal’s friend ran. Sakita was crying again and the Drykas snapped his eyes to her position. The horse was a yellowish green color like that of cactus that grow in the south and from all he could see, she seemed to be alone. Azmere brought his thighs together against his mare’s smooth and rain-slicked coat until his knees were pinched inward ever so slightly. He leaned forward and held onto her mane with two fists. That was all the motivation Skylla needed.

The strider kicked off leaving clumps of mud in her wake. The dark rider hunkered forward and matched the oblong roll of the elegant creature’s gait. The Drykas was steering his mount in front of Sakita with a plan in mind. After several dozen yards of her easy gallop, Skylla passed Grey who gave a playful bark but it was masked by the continued deluge and uproarious exercise of heavenly echoes. The bark seemed to break something loose in the wild strider and she took off as if she were a bolt of lightning thrown by Zulrav himself. Azmere had no choice but to tuck down against her as tightly as he could using both his legs and arms to squeeze into a small shape that was less likely to catch the wind. Every step was faster yet the gait seemed to be getting longer. The rain felt like tiny stones being hurled at his skin so the Drykas turned his head down and in. He closed his eyes tightly to avoid the throbbing sting of a second drop bursting against his vision. The horse continued to run fast but the ankal hung on.

There came a point when Skylla’s stride shifted from the rough and tumultuous sprint to something smooth and comfortable. Azmere could still feel the wind cutting past him but had to open his eyes. There was an instantly noticeable difference in his world…Skylla was starting to glow. He could not sit up and take in the entire vision for fear of being ripped off the horse’s bareback by a gust of wind but the ankal was able to trace some of the patterns and lines that seemed to raise through the soft coat. Her stars glowed in a brilliant white with hints of sky blue and violet. A spark shot through the Drykas. He couldn’t help but feel an ache in heart as it swelled from the pure bliss he sensed from Skylla’s freedom.

So lost in the moment was the rider that a dark shape was blurred as the duo whizzed past. Azmere pulled with both hands against her chocolate mane until his arms ached. It was hard to do since he was folded over and his arms burned from the strain. Skylla wanted to run free but her human had other plans. Slowly but surely, a wide arc was made and the horse came back around; gradually slowing as the ankal was able to shift his weight back and point the mare at the runaway. It took some doing but he even got her to trot so that he could simply sit and begin the process of coaxing Sakita back towards home.

by **Rufio** on September 23rd, 2017, 3:29 pm

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