32nd of Autumn, early morning
Against the bright canvases of the Amethyst Clan pavilions, the silhouette of a red-haired rider and her ash-coloured stallion stood out like odd stains in a purple world. The pair rode at a brisk trot, warming the animal’s muscles and helping the Drykas to wake up by sending a breeze to refresh her face. Despite the early hour, Syna´s rays already shone bright and strong on the land beneath her, and Zulrav´s gentle breath brought a welcome freshness to the air.
Ashka held herself straight in the yvas, eyes and ears wide open to the sounds and sights of the awakening city and hands clutched on the handles. She bounced slightly onto the Strider´s back, rocked by the rhythm of his hoofbeat onto the parched grass. Soon the giant structure of the Thunderherd pavilion came into sight, and Ashka pressed her legs against Lako´s flanks to steer him towards their destination. He answered her demand promptly, thanks to her indications but also to the bond uniting them; more often than not they needed little communication to understand each other.
As they reached Ashka´s workplace and Endrykas largest stable, the woman's mind started to clear from her dreamy awakening state and her thoughts drifted instead towards the tasks awaiting her this day. Toril had asked that the horses affected by the strange illness sweeping through the city would be treated as a top priority, and then only Ashka would resume to daily tasks. The Drykas girl started listing her chores and mentally filling the bells of the day with them. She had to check on the sick animals, of course, maybe make a run to the Healing Hoof at some point; then there was this young mare to train, just some basic exercises, but she wouldn't ride her during the afternoon when Syna was at her peak; she'd have to keep the riding for a fresher hour, and find another task to busy her for the hottest part of the day. Surely Atticus or Reyn had plenty of those.
Lako neighed suddenly, pulling Ashka out of her reverie. She realised they had almost reached the Pavilion, and her Strider was simply calling out to the other horses there, announcing his arrival loudly. Ashka chuckled at her steed's flamboyant display; being taller than most Striders, he often enjoyed a bit of show off when approaching other herds, even more so in the presence of mares. The Thunderherd animals had grown used to this attitude over time but he seemed to never get bored of it, and it always made Ashka smile. She patted his neck tenderly and kept her calves squeezed around him and hands firm on the yvas until the arrived at the front of the pavilion. When Lako halted, she dismounted swiftly and unstrapped the yvas from him, stroking his strong shoulders to wipe off the morning's dust and whispering compliments to the proud stallion.
"I'll be back soon to take care of you," she finished with a kiss on his forehead and, yvas hanging on her arm, she made her way to the large pavilion behind her.
Miyzer stood at the entrance, caught up in a lively conversation with a middle-aged man from the Emerald Clan, and barely noticed the redhead's arrival. Ashka waved a greeting his way and, knowing better than to interrupt him in the middle of a business discussion, pushed the entrance flaps and entered the tent.
WCWC=571
Against the bright canvases of the Amethyst Clan pavilions, the silhouette of a red-haired rider and her ash-coloured stallion stood out like odd stains in a purple world. The pair rode at a brisk trot, warming the animal’s muscles and helping the Drykas to wake up by sending a breeze to refresh her face. Despite the early hour, Syna´s rays already shone bright and strong on the land beneath her, and Zulrav´s gentle breath brought a welcome freshness to the air.
Ashka held herself straight in the yvas, eyes and ears wide open to the sounds and sights of the awakening city and hands clutched on the handles. She bounced slightly onto the Strider´s back, rocked by the rhythm of his hoofbeat onto the parched grass. Soon the giant structure of the Thunderherd pavilion came into sight, and Ashka pressed her legs against Lako´s flanks to steer him towards their destination. He answered her demand promptly, thanks to her indications but also to the bond uniting them; more often than not they needed little communication to understand each other.
As they reached Ashka´s workplace and Endrykas largest stable, the woman's mind started to clear from her dreamy awakening state and her thoughts drifted instead towards the tasks awaiting her this day. Toril had asked that the horses affected by the strange illness sweeping through the city would be treated as a top priority, and then only Ashka would resume to daily tasks. The Drykas girl started listing her chores and mentally filling the bells of the day with them. She had to check on the sick animals, of course, maybe make a run to the Healing Hoof at some point; then there was this young mare to train, just some basic exercises, but she wouldn't ride her during the afternoon when Syna was at her peak; she'd have to keep the riding for a fresher hour, and find another task to busy her for the hottest part of the day. Surely Atticus or Reyn had plenty of those.
Lako neighed suddenly, pulling Ashka out of her reverie. She realised they had almost reached the Pavilion, and her Strider was simply calling out to the other horses there, announcing his arrival loudly. Ashka chuckled at her steed's flamboyant display; being taller than most Striders, he often enjoyed a bit of show off when approaching other herds, even more so in the presence of mares. The Thunderherd animals had grown used to this attitude over time but he seemed to never get bored of it, and it always made Ashka smile. She patted his neck tenderly and kept her calves squeezed around him and hands firm on the yvas until the arrived at the front of the pavilion. When Lako halted, she dismounted swiftly and unstrapped the yvas from him, stroking his strong shoulders to wipe off the morning's dust and whispering compliments to the proud stallion.
"I'll be back soon to take care of you," she finished with a kiss on his forehead and, yvas hanging on her arm, she made her way to the large pavilion behind her.
Miyzer stood at the entrance, caught up in a lively conversation with a middle-aged man from the Emerald Clan, and barely noticed the redhead's arrival. Ashka waved a greeting his way and, knowing better than to interrupt him in the middle of a business discussion, pushed the entrance flaps and entered the tent.
WCWC=571
Thanks to Aladari Coolwater for the boxcode
