Solo Of Horses and Shoes

[Crylon Stonecraft]

7 Fall 519 Having made it back to the Demesne, Crylon was ready to begin work on his next project. As he rose that morning one clearly came to mind, that along with the rough draft of a stables and smithy Kelski had shown at the meeting earlier in the season. Right now the horses were being stowed in a pavilion, but Kelski wanted to expand on this. Give them a proper home within the Demesne. Crylon had no arguments on this, as all deserved a proper domicile whether sentient or non sentient living beings, or semi sentient middle ground beings not quite dumb but not quite people. Crylon, he admitted to himself, had no knowledge of stables however. What did they normally look like? What were their main features? He assumed a place to stow the horses to sleep, to feed and water them. Did the horses each need their own horse bed? Did they share? Did they sleep on the ground? He was not sure. Research was clearly needed. But still, it seemed important to Kelski that the horses had a proper place to bed down, and so it was of import to Crylon. She had done quite a bit for him, had given him his first place among humans where he felt... Somewhat at home. With a more specific purpose than just wandering about doing work and learning new things. Now she was offering him the chance to take part in building and maintaining an entirely new domain, to build things he had not built before, to see an entire place build up from little more than a clearing in a forested area. How could he not be thankful for that? He was not one for long speeches or words, and so preferred showing his gratitude by pitching in and doing work for her and the group they were collectively a part of. Work done now, meant betterment for both of them in the long run. And that surely was a show of gratitude, making her life easier or better. First things first, Crylon headed to the horses pavilion to inspect their current sleeping area. Ducking inside the pavilion, the smell of horse and other less likable scents struck him. Crylon mentally made a note to himself, ventilation. The new stables needed to be able to breath, let in and out air so that one was not knocked over by the smell. Even with an open side to the pavilion, the scent was still strong. Too sturdy and solid a space, without allowing for air flow, would be a bad feature. Inside he found what appeared to be boxed off areas, a few empty and a few with horses inside. Most of the horses were awake, and either out of their boxed in areas or gone from the pavilion entirely with some human or other. One though seemed to be asleep. But asleep... Standing up? Crylon puzzled over this for a few moments, before deciding from the way the animal acted it was asleep. Slow even breath, head flat, eyes closed. Clearly he had not paid attention to horses before, or taken care of them when bedding down. But he saw no large pallets or beds, no place to lie down, rather the horses were just standing there and... Sleeping. While unsure of how this worked, Crylon was sure there was some explanation. Different leg or knee structure, or some such thing. Or maybe that and their extra limbs, as they did have four legs which would give more balance for such things. Passing on from the topic Crylon explored the rest of the pavilion, not finding much of interest. Large beasts in their separated areas. Saddles and things were about in the pavilion, which would need a proper place to store and stretch out. Troughs for water, and places for food. Besides the fact that the horses slept standing up Crylon had not found many new things by exploring. But still, any new fact like sleeping patterns or smells could be useful in his designing of the building. WC: 679

[Crylon Stonecraft]

Done with checking on the horses, Crylon next went to inspect the spot where the stables and smithy were to be put. Looking it over Crylon noted the position, close to the tower and more of an expansion off that main structure than a new building. Which made sense. He assumed that since the Gem being was in the tower it could stretch out to other neighboring structures. This though was more logical reasoning than any kind of fact, since Crylon knew he understood the magic involved in giving life to the Gem very poorly. He knew it existed, knew that the Gem was what she was, but did not know how it worked or expanded or did things. As Crylon thought on this, he realized that as much as Kelski the Gem was a fond companion and ally. She had sheltered him, made him feel at home when he took up residence there... Giving her a new spot to expand and stretch into, to watch over the horses, this seemed as much thanks to the Gem as for Kelski who he had initially thought of. It was still odd, and something Crylon was trying to come to terms with. A living structure, something once built and crafted by hand and tools which was now undeniably alive. And alive in its own way, like a person of its own but... Different somehow, some way in which Crylon could not quite describe or explain. It was not quite human, at once more and less, while still being its own entity. The Gem was an enigma in some ways, but also a friend. An ally. Someone he wanted to help. Someone he wanted to see grow and expand and deepen in both the literal and figurative way. He was thankful for the Gem as well, though it had not been something he had thought on much before. Absentmindedly Crylon walked over to the Gem's tower and placed a hand on its outer side. He was still not sure how much or how it sensed. Could it feel his touch? Hear his words when spoken? From Kelski he knew it did not speak Isurian, only common, but if it knew common perhaps then it could learn to speak the tongue of the Isur? Crylon then spoke a long word or really phrase in Isurian and looked up at the structure before turning to common. “That is word for you Gem, is describe you in own tongue. Is... Not truly work in common, but closest is... Building of many depths, of life and vigor own, of truth and strength. Is here today, work on stables, but is turn and think of you as do. Is hope you like looking at new build, once made. Or if live in swell, then hope like live in.” Crylon paused, not really sure how much the Gem could understand or detect, but he assumed it could sense about itself and hear him now. “If have any notes, want on build, let Kelski know, she tell me yes? I do best to work into as want. Maybe once can talk, or if can, maybe I teach speak in Isur tongue. I think you like, is tongue for building, for expressing truth more so than common. Common like... Like tongue of rough mud drawing, get across meaning but not well. Isur tongue, speak Isurian, is like fine painting on canvas. Many depth, many colors, many... Small things, which give greater meaning. Maybe one day, I teach if can.” With a smile Crylon patted the wall once more, before turning and walking away. He was not really sure if the Gem had heard or not, but regardless he would do his best for the Gem and Kelski and the household of the Meraki and its newly forming Demesne. Building was what he did, and if he was to do it he would do his best. As always. WC: 656

[Crylon Stonecraft]

Having reviewed the horses and the land, next was the plans. Crylon took the plans that Kelski had shown in passing at the meeting, a rough drawing not in the sense of ones artistic skills, but in their applicability to building. This then was perhaps how Crylon could help. Not by changing things, but by updating the rough design into something more usable by builders and planners for making into a building. The core was good, he could see, and her final vision was quite grand, but being an Architect he knew of the considerations needed for building and actually making something into a reality. Taking the plans and his own writing tools Crylon found a nice empty spot within the tower where he could spread out and do his work. And if as he thought the Gem was aware of what went on within her environs, then she could watch as well. The first thing he noticed was the plan above the plan. A large area or decking above the stables, where people could stand and overlook the land. That meant additional weight and the need for bearing that weight properly, more so than just a standard stable designed to hold horses would need. It also needed a chimney and opening for smoke, for the planned smithy within. That meant adjusting more things, planning, weighting features, and moving things into a coherent structure. Crylon took some parchment and ink and began to scrawl out with a quill a rough Architects interpretation. Adding in a large weight bearing pillar here. Some reinforcement here for where the chimney would weaken the structure. Nope too close to that bit, start a second draft. Move the feature here, where the arch of the edge of the patio would lighten the load and force the weight outward rather than down. One large open area for the horses, which also allowed for more personal areas and many exits into the open area and neighboring pens and open walking areas for the horses. The entire thing had an open airy feel, which needed due to this additional shoring up. Where walls and thick corners would support the weight in a less open structure, here pillars and arches to be walked through would serve that function. Looking over the design Crylon did see a few solid and enclosed spots. A storage room, which from the notations appeared to be for saddles and things. Another for storing feed and the like. These he drew in with a square filled with a large X, to be added into the next draft but letting him consider their placement. He wanted it to follow Kelski's original plans as closely as possible, making it as open and free as possible, while still being... Well possible. Able to function as an actual building. He was not sure how the Gem and her nature would affect the limits of the building, but he felt it would still need to be able to stand and function as a structure surely? He knew some magic was at play, but he did not think that element would be untrue. Physics, weight, math, still applied, as far as he knew. And if not, Kelski could freely remove all of his supports and make it into some free floating cloud structure. Until he heard that though, he would continue his planning with the assumption of none physics. He wanted to keep to her plan as closely as he could to the original, a sign of respect for her work and a way to show his gratitude for her kindness and long farsightedness. Setting aside the parchment Crylon pulled a third, beginning a third draft which included the closed off rooms in their reasoning. WC: 624

[Crylon Stonecraft]

As Crylon continued his work, he pondered how he had ended up where he was. A chance meeting at a bar, overhearing a need for help, and offering his services. Kelski had then trusted him relatively on sight before even getting to know him any further. Since then they had interacted on quite a few occasions. On that first day fighting when attacked, then him moving into her household. Offering him space and explaining the odd nature of the Gem. Letting him see the edges of secrets, even if keeping many things to herself. Clearing the worksite, digging holes, falling into tunnels, and building a smithy. All culminating in his moving to Zeltiva and eventually the new domain she was founding. Kelski seemed if nothing else and active force on her environment. Not one to just let things carry her along, nor to let things continue as they currently were. If not for her he would still likely be puttering about Sunberth, helping put up some new buildings here or there, doing simple repairs, more of the same. Now though, after all that, he was helping foster an entirely new place and getting paid to do it. While also being given a sense of belonging and having a place. Something he had not really felt in human lands before meeting and being embraced by Kelski. He had much to be thankful for. So many things could have gone poorly, he saw with hindsight. He had lived a somewhat safe and sheltered life, never outright facing a challenge he could not overcome or that would mean death or permanent harm if he failed. That or he had used his wits to get out of things, where skill or strength was lacking. Now though, he saw more. A chance to expand and strengthen himself. To change who he currently was in the same way iron was shaped into a weapon. And he, a chunk of raw iron on Izurdin's forge, was ready to be made anew and improved. Checking his newest draft Crylon worked to include all of the aspects of the earlier drafts, combining it into one better and improved design which used the best of all of his former works. At the same time, it was still recognizably the work he had begun with, which Kelski had made, just... Finessed. Admittedly with a element of Isur style, solid pillars and practical arches, but otherwise it was the structure Kelski had envisioned, only given greater life by his hand. Considering his work, Crylon smiled. Had the Gem learned anything from watching him? Was she able to learn by watching? Was she even watching? He was not sure, unclear on her limits or capabilities. Something he hoped to understand in time, but was not going to press Kelski for out of a he felt mutual respect and understanding between the two of them. As much as a kelvic and Isur could have mutual understanding. The plans finalized, Crylon worked on drying and preserving the final draft to give to Kelski. He felt that with these finished plans, she could either have a building done properly, or have them turned into a more fully realized plan by a more skilled Architect. Either way he would not be hurt or offended, glad only that he had been given the chance to show his thanks and let his work reflect Kelski's vision. WC: 567

[Alric Lysane]

Your Grades Crylon Stonecraft Skills Architecture – 3 Drawing – 2 Logic – 2 Observation – 2 Socialization – 1 Lores Gratitude: Shown, Not Stated Architecture: Converting Ideas TO Draft Architecture: Stables Characteristics Drawing: The Drafting Process Stables: Adequate Ventilation Stables: Gerenal Layout