Closed Another Farewell

[Ronan]

Timestamp: TBD (Late Fall, 512 AV)

The time had come for Ronan to leave once again. It was remarkable how untoward this visit had been. To start with, he had been nearly slaughtered out on the grasses, and then Kavala had taken him back to a past life. Just when things had begun to calm, Riverfall had come under attack, and Ronan had become a messenger in the midst of battle, his injuries not even fully healed yet.

Amongst the chaos though, his and Kavala's issues had softened somewhat. He felt happier and brighter, even though a few new scars pockmarked his flesh. Their relationship still had no basis, and no title, and neither of them knew what it was. But it was there. It was born from the legacy of their souls. He wanted to remember more one day.

He came into the commons area, his travel bag on his back. All that was needed was Tairell, and then he'd be riding for several days back towards the tent city. He only hoped the pox hadn't worsened in his absence. He prayed to Semele that the Sunsinger's were unscathed.

When he came through the threshold, he found Kavala there, sat down.

He let out a small, awkward sigh. It was time to say goodbye. Time to leave Kavala again for all of his other duties. He felt bound, and yet helpless all at the same time.

"Morning," was all he eventually mustered.

[Kavala]

Timestamp: 72nd of Fall, 512 AV

The needle dipped into the tough cloth of one of Ronan's shirts. It had been the one he'd been wearing when the Glassbeaks had attacked. And though it had a large tear in it across the chest, Kavala had managed to cut an additional piece of fabric, finish severing the shirt in half, and spliced in the new piece making the shirt have a large insert across it that looked completely designed that way. She'd also taken the sleeves and added additional length to them as well by adding a matching band of color to them as well. It gave the shirt new life, hid the Glassbeak scars and gave Ronan one more shirt back to add to his saddlebag.

Kavala sewed as fast as she could, dipping her needle into the fabric and bringing it back out again, up, looping over, and back down and through. She finished the last few inches of the mending job and knotted the thread, tying it off. She held the shirt up, inspecting her work, and nodded at the earthen hues now present.

"Much better..." She muttered, remembering when she'd had to do this for Vanator or Eachlann their father. Bolden never seemed to rip his shirts and she always wondered why he hadn't.

Kavala wondered when Ronan would leave. She knew it would be soon. He had that restless anxiety about him that never meant anything other than he longed to be on a horses back going somewhere. Kavala had told him once she'd never do this, never have this kind of relationship, and yet here she was domestically mending his shirt and wondering if today was the day she'd have to say goodbye again. It was not something she could do. It was something that would break her heart each and every time. She stared at the shirt, tempted to clench it tightly between her hands. instead she brought it to her forehead, inhaled deeply, and sat there looking unsure and pained.

That was how Ronan found her when he came looking. At the sound of his footfalls she straightened and shifted, shaking the shirt out with a snap. "You probably thought it was rags." She said softly. "But I managed to salvage it. You need it. Your wardrobe is a bit worn around the edges. Do you have enough things for winter?" She asked, fussing slightly.

It was an ungodly early hours. It was so early in fact Tasival was still sleeping. Kavala was only up because she was restless and as always there was more to do than hands to do it.

[Ronan]

Kavala held one of his shirts in her hands. He quickly recognised it as the one he had been wearing upon the glassbeak attack, and it seemed she hadn't just repaired it, she'd customised in her own little flash of colour too.

"Thank you," he said with a smile. It was wonderful, and she was right - he had though the item of clothing too lost for recovery. She asked him about winter, and he twisted his mouth in thought. "Probably not, but don't worry, I can pick some bits up in Endrykas. I never was very organised when it came to clothes."

She looked a little tired, brow creased with worry. But it was early really - Ronan was up because he wanted to utilise the hours of sunlight effectively for travel. There would be time enough for sleep later.

He accepted the shirt from her gratefully and held it up to the light, turning it a little. It was less plain than before, and she had fixed it up beyond recognition. No one would see the talon and beak strikes of the glassbeak on this shirt!

Was there anything she couldn't do, he wondered half jokingly. She was a talented woman, and that was undeniable. But for the Konti who lived so many years, it was unsurprising they would pick up so many skills. Sanctuary kept her busy too, and no doubt embroidery and sewing were useful talents here.

"It's great, I really like it." He breathed deeply again, puting the shirt to one side, and his bag too so that he could sit down and face her. "I have quite a few stories for the Sunsingers - from such a short stay. The glassbeaks, the dream, and then poor Riverfall. Life can be too chaotic sometimes, don't you think?"

[Kavala]

Kavala nodded, smiling slightly when he praised her work. There was a time she had lived for praise, from anyone, but that time was long in the past. "So where are you off too now, Ronan? Endrykas, like you said? Back to find The Sunsingers?" She wanted to say that his visit was too short and that he was leaving too soon, but she knew the knowledge of it was written in her eyes. It would do her no good to complain or to say anything at all.

She hated this.

And it was going to be like this every time he showed up, stayed a few nights and left when his mission or duty was discharged. He was living the life he made for himself, and she knew that, but it still didn't settle well. She wanted to ask him to stay. Please stay. But she knew what his answer would be and he was too proud to beg more than once. And she had begged. Kavala closed her eyes, looked away a moment, and let her long loose hair fall across her face as she stared off into the distance.

"You'll have good weather I suspect. Maybe at least for a few days." She said idly, not sure what else to add. Her long outstretched leg retreated and was pulled up into the chair to be used as a chin rest. She looked small, almost like a child, sitting like that, her arms wrapping around the leg she drew into her chest.

"Do you need anything... food? More glyphs? Any of your healing supplies replenished? I would pack bags for you but I didn't know what you needed and I' figured you'd just ask." Kavala said, her voice soft, casual, not reflecting the inner pain she felt. Gods. He was leaving. Again. Kavala glanced up towards the northwest corner of the property where his mare was grazing in a paddock with a few other striders. "Shall I bring your mare down for you?" She asked, restless now, unsure what to say. Every goodbye they'd ever had was going to be awkward. Every one would hurt.

Kavala was no good at some types of social interaction. This was one of them. She tried to take her cues from him and keep her voice lighthearted. But the truth was as soon as he rode out the horse gates she would be in tears.

[Ronan]

He nodded to Kavala's question. "Endrykas. I must return - for I fear the pox may have spread in my absence. I hope the Sunsinger's are safe.

He went a little glum at the words - trying not to think on the worst. His pavilion were hardy people. A little illness would not take them, since he would make sure of that. Vayt could leave, and if not, he should face Semele's wrath for diseasing her land.

When she spoke, there was something else beneath the words, as if what she said wasn't truly what she wanted to tell him. She crouched up in her chair like a little girl, and watched him closely, awaiting answers.

"I wouldn't say no to any food supplies," he replied with a smile, but then shook his head, "I don't need anymore than that. The past few days have told me Sanctuary needs to keep its supplies stockpiled. You know... the world seems to become a more dangerous place by the day."

He began to realise what it was that lurked beneath the surface of her words. It was that same loss he had seen last time. It was the fact he was leaving again. Everything that had been said bubbled up in his mind, and an intense feeling of guilt washed over him. Suddenly, he wanted to escape all of his commitments. He wanted to just bury himself in this room, and hold her, and kiss her forever.

But he was real. He was being grounded, like the earth, and knew that he just couldn't do that. And that... that made it all the more painful.

"Maybe you can walk with me?" he finally asked, hoping the fresh air might clear both of their minds a little. It was strange. They both knew a little of what the other was feeling. And that guilt was there too, knowing every farewell pained Kavala, because it reminded her of the kind of relationship she could never have with Ronan.

She was tied to this place, and it seemed the stone walls were intent on getting between them. Ronan had his new family, and his Goddess. He didn't know where to turn, only that he did love Kavala, and things had turned out this way.

He got up from his seat, pulling his bag back onto his back and put out a hand for her to take and rise, and walk with him to Tairell. They both had to accept that this wasn't going to become any easier.

[Kavala]

The Konti nodded and stood, offering Ronan a half smile. Her eyes were sad but he could tell she was trying to fight it. "We've plenty of food. Larik is a good hunter and Rhy supplements our foodstuffs as well. It also helps being stationary. Goats and cows for milk and cheese and enough room to store all we make..." She said, reaching her hand out for his Yvas pack. "I'll be back in a moment. Let me at least let you ride out with food. Then of course I'll walk with you." She said, shifting out of her protective posture and rising up to stand and take his pack. She wasn't his height, but the Konti was taller than most of her kind. As she stretched to her full height, lean muscle flexed within leather and she moved out, taking his yvas bag into her arms.

Kavala was glad she didn't have to change her clothing. Fall was cold with the promise of winter on the horizon. The Konti was already dressed in riding leathers, high boots, and a warm enough shirt a walk to the paddock or even a ride beyond. A brisk ride wouldn't hurt her, she thought, as she disappeared to fill his stores with food. Kavala wore less and less dresses these days. The leathers suited her better and were far more comfortable. There was a swing in her stride as she walked away from him that had always been there, as if she danced or fought for a living instead of healed. Her boots were soft and soundless and she was gone only a few minutes, returning with his bag overflowing and another burlap bag besides it, loaded with cheese and bread. He could tell the simple act of provisioning him made her happy. The sadness wasn't gone from her eyes, but the smile on her face was genuine.

She handed the yvas back without question, took his hand, and walked with him to the paddock.

"You should say my family." She said quietly, correcting him. "You said "The Sunsingers..." as if they are not your own." Kavala noted, glancing at him a moment as they walked the stone path she'd recently laid and came up to the paddock of Striders. She ducked into a barn saying nothing else and returned with a brilliant emerald colored yvas blanket and Ronan's own yvas which she handed to him. Left in her arms was an equally brilliant sapphire pad and another yvas made of white leather. She ducked under the stone rails of the paddock fence and whistled softly, calling a sorrel strider over to her. The mare was smaller than Ronan's own, but she didn't need to be large to carry the Konti. Kavala tossed the sapphire colored blanket over the mare's back and then fastened the Yvas on. She cinched it down tightly, tested the straps, and gave the mare a nice scratch, pulling a hoof pick from her pocket and quickly checking all her feet. Then she opened the paddock gate that was on silent stone hinges and the mare followed her out into the arena area, moving ahead of him opening gates leading to the outside.

"I'm locking down The Sanctuary as of the eightieth." She said quietly, when Ronan joined her from doing his own tack up. "We're going to hunt the forests out around here, bring in all the game and grass for the horses we can, and see how the sickness falls. In the mean time we'll do what we can to have medicines stockpiled. But you won't be able to come back in if the sickness comes to Riverfall. Not until we know more about it and until we get other things settled." She added. "Send word if your Sunsingers need anything though. We'll do what we can for our friends." Kavala said, knowing that in a way the whole region might be prepared for battle, only the enemy might be unseen this time.

"Ronan, how many of the Drykas died during the Djed Storm? Half? Maybe more? This illness might not be anything, but it might mean the end of our people too. Some of us need to survive, and even some of us might need to learn a new way to live. Walls aren't so bad. The Akalak at least taught me that. If you need too, bring your family back here. We can host them for a season or two. And we'd be glad to do it. Even if we are on lockdown, if you are all clean, we'll bring you in." She said as she vaulted gracefully up onto the little mare's back, her intentions clear.

She'd ride with him to the edge of her property, if not further. But like a leash, The Sanctuary tied her here. She could only go so far until the leash snapped tight and brought her back.

When he was mounted, Kavala closed her legs on Spitfire, dropped her heels and kissed to the mare. She moved out easily, with a smooth gait that jarred the Konti not at all. Kavala rode with her weight distributed easily across Spitfire's withers, with the majority of her leg laying in close contact to the mare's flanks. The little sorrel tossed her head, cow hopped a bit, and settled into rhythm beside Ronan's mount.

[Ronan]

Kavala disappeared momentarily with his pack, and Ronan stood with hands awkwardly clasped as he waited for her. It would still be a little dark outside, and cold too. He knew the season was not so far from passing into Winter. He wondered what the cold season would bring.

When she returned, he accepted them gratefully, and with raised eyebrows. She had packed them beyond his request, bags brimming with breads and fruits and cheeses. She looked pleased to hand them to him.

"This is... more than generous. Thank you."

They would keep him going on the ride back, and there were a few treats in there for Tairell too. She would be pleased, he thought with a smile. He looked back up at her, knowing how lucky he was to have her around. To have her as a... friend.

Shortly after, hand in hand, they walked toward the paddocks. The air was brisk as he had expected, but it was pleasant in its own way. He turned to face her at her correction, frowning. She was right. Had he ever said 'my family'? The thought turned sour in his mind, but did not linger through his own will.

Ronan accepted the blanket and yvas from her, and watched as she called her own horse to her. A small thing, but beautiful he observed. He found Tairell in the dim light and readied the yvas. For a Drykas, it was a simple motion. She looked on him with curiosity, clearly wondering if they were to leave again.

Then, following Kavala out, he led Tairell, walking relatively slowly. Once he had caught up, the Konti began to explain to him about the lockdown she had planned.

He nodded firmly. "Do what you must. I would rather you lock yourselves in than suffer the sickness. I only hope it won't come here. For now, at least, it has not reached every pavilion in Endrykas."

Her offer was interesting, he thought, as she climbed onto her horse. He did the same, settling into the yvas and patting Tairell's mane.

"I will take that offer to Sama'el, so thank you." He looked down, breathing heavily. The storm had taken its toll, and so the pox presented a threat unlike any other. The extinction of his people. "We will not allow the Drykas to vanish from this world, Kavala."

They began to ride, Kavala finding a nice pace alongside the leggier Tairell. He didn't move her quickly though. It was a methodical gait, so they could talk as they rode. He relished the feeling.

"Please stay safe," he finally said after a moment of silence passed between them. "But I don't think I need to tell you that. You're a practical woman. You're already planning." He smiled brightly. "You'll be just fine."

[Kavala]

Kavala gave Ronan a strange hard-to-interpret look. It was almost a mixture of disbelieve and annoyance covered up momentarily by a smile. "Of course I'll take care of things here, myself included." She promised. "Yes, planning..." She said with a half grin, shaking her head slightly and urging the mare forward.

Spitfire needed the run. And oddly enough Kavala suddenly realized this was her first actual ride with Ronan. She truthfully didn't know what kind of rider he was. It would be interesting to see though, Kavala decided.

She was born on a horse practically, for all that her skin had scales and her Konti nature often called her to the sea. The healer set her legs on the little strider and felt the strider pick up speed as they wove through the fringe forest that surrounded The Sanctuary. Kavala helped Spitfire weave, shifting her weight and closing first one leg on her side, opening the other, and lead changing the mare around difficult obstacles. The Konti leaned low over the sorrel mare's neck, letting her blond mane tangle in Kavala's pale hair. She leaped a fallen log by gathering her energy, shifting Spitfire's stride a split second to give her more force, and popped up over the obstacle and down a low embankment to splash into a stream.

Spitfire bucked, jumped sideways, and then clattered across stone bottom until she hit sand and then the embankment on the other side. Kavala took her up the rather steep bank and then halted them four steps out of the way of Ronan's mare, ready to continue or resume at a more sedate walk, depending on what the other Drykas wanted to do. She was ready to shift to one side, wheel the mare around, and give chase if Ronan kept going. They were still a mile from good grass where the horses could both tap the web and run. Kavala hoped he still wanted to ride.

She didn't feel like talking.

[Ronan]

Ronan was unsure how to take her words. Clipped, and short. And afterwards she said little else. He was often unsure if he had insulted or upset her, but she was never quite annoyed, instead her words held something else that was frustratingly immeasurable.

When Kavala suddenly set off, Ronan gleefully nudged Tairell into action. Drykas and strider followed the Konti as they began to weave their way through the fringe forest at good pace. Tairell's gait was almost dance like, enjoying the brisk run.

Ronan ducked and dodged branch and foliage, eyes keen on Kavala atop her own horse. He was trying to remember if he had seen her ride before. She was as natural as any Drykas. Horse and rider merged into something cohesive and skilled. They wended their way past trees and rock too, never stumbling.

As they jumped over a log, Ronan followed suit, shifting forward in the yvas to lend momentum to his strider. He urged Tairell onwards, and Drykas and horse jumped as one, wind rushing at them. Exhilaration filled Ronan. They landed, but not before dashing into a stream, water riding up Tairell's legs, and droplets touching his face. She seemed to prance as they hit the water, following Kavala's horse with an ounce of competition.

When she came to a stop, Ronan felt compelled to continue, laughing as they circled the Konti and her horse and sped off, dashing again. He caught the Konti's face - anticipation of the unknown. He wanted to reach the grass, where Tairell could run free, and he knew Kavala wanted a good ride as much as he.

He continued fiercely, still deftly weaving and dodging where necessary. They passed the stream, a different point of the same waterway, trundling round a bend. The splash sent the hairs on his skin upward.

"I think your horse wanted to stretch its legs!" Ronan called playfully, turning to squeeze his left leg on Tairell's side to avoid creeping roots that coiled among the base of a tall tree.

The grass beckoned.

[Kavala]

As Ronan and Tairell circled, Kavala laughed softly, seeing the pair show off. Ronan's mare was a fine Drykas in and of herself, but she had something going against her that Kavala's strider didn't have.

A heavy drykas man was on her back.

Spitfire had a slip of a Konti woman on her back that weighed almost nothing at all. Kavala leaned forward as Ronan and his companion shot out galloping towards the Sea seen in the distance. She leaned forward and whispered in Spitfire's ear and released her paused stride with some unseen gesture. The little mare half reared then shot out like a crossbow bolt from her rock still position and was on Tairell's heels in a single moment. There was a trail to follow, but the little mare was well and truly familiar with the territory around them and shot past the bigger mare in a streak of gold and blonde. Kavala, laughing, turned back even as Spitfire bared her teeth and nipped Tairell's flank as she shot past and then darted off at an angle.

"She has a name you know!" Kavala called, just as her feisty little mare launched her toothy attack. "Spitfire!" Kavala called, and gestured the sign for trouble in Pavi as they arched out at a forty five degree angle. The little mare ducked low under an overhanging branch, popped over a log with Kavala clinging to her yvas for all she was worth. The Konti laughed, drummed her heels on the mares side, and the little horse shot out weaving through the trees completely forsaking the trail to break cover from the fringe forest ahead of the larger mare whom they both assumed would have never yielded the path.

Kavala felt the sorrel filly dip her head, push her essence out and link with the web. Power infused the animal beneath her burning up through her rider as a hundred voices, all locked in the local web, called a greeting. The sorrel pulled power and it almost seemed as if her hooves no longer touched the ground. She smoothed out her gallop, became almost rock steady to ride, and stretched out to run. Nostrils flared, mane tangled in Kavala's face, and she laughed with joy. No longer did the Konti's legs encircle the mare's barrel. Instead, she stretched out on her back, head alongside the mare's neck, legs trailing her back. She was relaxed, not even bothering to hold on with her lower body. Air streamed around them, finding no resistance, and the world released its hold in the little strider mare and she surged forward screaming her joy. A few horses, some wild and some belonging to Kavala's herds answered her call. But none got in the way.

Kavala only hoped Ronan and his sister Tairell could keep up.