Open [The Sanctuary] A Phlox upon you!

[Faryon Whiteflower]

Kachal seemed slightly hesitant to go out for a ride when he saw Sirocco would be joining us. Faryon had to silently giggle at the notion that her Strider might be afraid of another. True they weren't the best of friends but they were practically brothers and Vanator confirmed her train of thought by saying they were family now. Kachal calmed down at the sound of the words. Jeeze, is the man a horse whisperer or something? First the mare now Kachal. "The forest is fine by us, lead the way." Faryon said with a smile. It was always relaxing and comforting to the Drykas riding her Strider. In all actuality she wouldn't have cared where the Armsmaster chose to go riding as long as the teen got to spend some time with Kachal. Faryon kept Kachal alongside Van and Sirocco but kept some distance for both of the horses' sake. In all honesty, the young woman was waiting for the question and was actually kind of relieved that Vanator had chosen to bring it up first. Despite all the relief, it never got easier explaining why she left all she have known to travel across the Sea of Grass to the infamous Sanctuary. "My older brother escorted me across the Sea of Grass, I'm grateful for it but I think he felt partially it was his "fault" I wished to come to the Sanctuary. He had made it seem like a magical place and I wanted to see for myself if the fairy tales were true. Even so, I think the real reason was for a change of scenery.." The Drykas stopped midsentence. It wasn't until she arrived here, did Faryon realized her true intentions, "Everything back at my pavilion reminded me of my mom. It was hard to have the memories taunt me day in and out and I think my father saw it too and that's was the only reason he let me leave." The teen tried to smile but knew she failed miserably. Instead she plotted a distraction by means of changing the subject. "So Kavala said I needed to pick up a melee and range weapon as well as unarmed combat. At first I didn't think about it other than dreading hurting someone or thing with a weapon but why is it needed?"

[Vanator]

Vanator studied the young Drykas woman as they began their ride. Faryon seemed comfortable enough in her yvas, and certainly with her Strider. The girl's demeanor was respectful. Whether it was because he was an Ankal, Armsmaster or she just didn't know Van very well didn't matter, it was welcomed. The raven-haired herbalist would endure some scrutiny by the Denusk patriarch as she settled in at the Sanctuary. He hoped that, after some time together, Faryon could relax more in his presence.

Van's gaze drifted across the landscape as they moved from pasture to forest, listening carefully to Faryon's answer. She had lost her mother. Vanator could related, in a way. He spent little time with the pavilion after Tamar had been killed, plagued by the memories, only returning after marrying Kashik. Van was not as surprised by the girl's interest beyond the pavilions. It seemed that wanderlust infected more of the lastest generation of the horseclans. The troubled state of the Drykas clans lead many to turn their eyes to a better or easier way of life.

"Living with the loss of one so dear, and the haunting memories, is hard." Van acknowledged. He curtailed further probing on the subject, waiting for a more comfortable moment to discover more.

He turned to look at Faryon with a furrowed brow at her comment about learning to fight. Simply living in Cyphrus should be enough reason why one needed to learn how to defend themselves. "Someone has done you a disservice, Faryon, not teaching you to fight. Every man and woman in the Denusk pavilion was required to learn how to defend themselves, even healers like Kavala. Our father insisted she learn to use weapons. The Sea of Grass is a dangerous place. Even behind the walls of Sanctuary, we are not immune to attack. A year ago, a horde of Zith descended on us. Every one had to answer the call to arms in order to repel the assault." The older Drykas shifted in his yvas as Sirocco threw his head, anxious to move faster.

Vanator offered Faryon a smile. "Killing may be distasteful to you, but is the distaste worth losing your own life? You are Drykas, you will learn quickly. We just need to find what suits you best. For instance, I was taught how to use a battle ax. Since I was the Ankal's heir, much of my schooling was in Webbing and how to lead the pavilion, I didn't have as much time for weapons that require more finesse, like a sword. Besides, I have broad shoulders, good for swinging an ax. We will find what you will be most comfortable with. Have you thought about it any since talking with Kavala, what weapon you might want to try?"