Closed A Race of Foals and Fists

[Ashryn]

Fall, Day 90, 514 AV

The day was bright, the sky clear of all clouds. The sun shined magnificently and each blade of grass on the field eagerly stretched itself towards the light which was gradually fading each day as Winter approaches. TwelveKnives stomped and nickered about the field, her rider casually being carried along for the ride.

The Windmount Track and Field was open to the public. The rarity of every ten days when the Knights no longer claimed it their own. Snow dusted the ground, creating a beautiful picture of white, blue and green, as the plants had not died of frost quite yet. A tiny puff of flakes would erupt from the ground with each step the Paintedmount took, then fall and rest again on the nearly frozen soil.

Ashryn always took advantage of the fields freedom every ten days. It was an opportunity to train both herself and her Kavinka as well as bond with the animal. Animals are a trial for the herbalist. She is not used to the company of living things that did not speak her language. Her party always consisted of people whom she could understand or plants whom did not have anything to speak of. But these horses, among every other animal of course, moved by their own will, spoke of a unknown tongue, and yet still seemed to manage to coexist with things unusual to it without complaint. It never ceased to confused and sometimes rattle her.

Curoiusly the animal would occasionally stoop and delicately pluck a few blades of struggling weeds from the ground. Ashryn tried to be forceful and pull the reins toward her chest in an effort to control the animal and keep it on task. The said task being practicing steering actually. She was painfully new to riding and steering was what she decided to try and teach herself today.

The pulling of a rope this way and that seemed trivial and simple, yet she found it to be fairly laborious. The horse's head would turn the opposite way the reins were directed, which was confusing as it was, like a mirror. And then sometimes it would turn the same way. She tried to tell and remind herself that the thing had a mind of its own.

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[Garland]

Garland was getting use to the cold snow now, though he would still rather be inside curled up in his blankets rather than be training with his horse, Tryn. Though, if a little cold and snow could beat the young squire, then he would have no hope of ever becoming a knight. He led his stubborn horse towards the Windmount Track. Garland was just getting use to riding, but only barely. He was still new to the entire concept of fighting on horseback, and riding in general. Some would say he was good for being so new to riding, but he had to be honest, it was mostly luck that his horse followed him better than his other previous riders.

Tryn was one of the newer horses to the stables, he was captured in the wild. He had a few riders that took interest in the stallion when he was captured, but none could stand this horse's stubbornness. Even some knights had trouble with Tryn. Garland was probably the only one stupid enough to try to tame this very wild horse, and by the looks of it, it was going better than he thought.

Garland was no expert in anything horse related, but he did enjoy the occasional show of affection from Tryn, usually after Garland was bucked off or kick or something.

When he reached the track, there were only a few of them there. He figured that it would be boring to just ride alone, so he set out to find any promising prospects for a small ride, maybe even a race or such.

He saw a girl that intrigued him. He went over to her, tugging along Tryn. "Hello there."

[Ashryn]

Ashryn had just regained control her TwelveKnives after the horse somehow got it into his head that she wished to go in circles. Like a dog chasing its tail, except with much less enthusiasm. She sighed in relief and looked bashfully around the field, hoping desperately that no one had seen her error and embarrassment. Surprisingly not many riders were out on today. Usually the tenth day when the track was open the field was crawling in horses and men. Perhaps the slight snow had deterred them.

Those who were training or racing or simply riding didn't seem to have caught Ashryn's circus act. They were all paying much more attention to themselves and their horses than her. Yet she stilled blushed at the though of possibly having been seen. Looking around once more, for no other reason than to look around, she noticed someone who did seem to be paying attention to others.

He was a small boy, and by small she meant young. In his teenage years most likely. Tassled brown hair, and she guessed, about at tall as she was now. She predicted that if she was correct about the boys age and height, he would be much taller than her by the time he stopped growing. Ashryn, being almost thirty, had stopped growing a while back. She didn't mind her height though, She wasn't too tall nor too short for her taste. The woman's hair made her look shorter. Her long, dark brown hair was almost to her waist, nearly touching the end of her white blouse and the top her her brown trousers. However her black cloak she wrapped around herself to avoid the cold nearly hid all of her beautiful hair.

As her mind wandered to these thoughts she realized the deep black of her cloak matched the black blotches of her Kavinka Paintedmount. The creature had a beauty to it. The black and white, two opposites clashing side by side. The black mane which almost always matched the tail in horses, mismatched from the white tail. Strong, long, muscular legs reached to the ground, only separated by bleached hoofs that were stained with mud and snow. Ashryn may not be well acquainted with this horse's personality, but she recognized beauty when she saw it, and this animal was the definition of it.

She was ripped from her reveling when she heard a voice. Startled, Ashryn snapped her head up from the admiration to look into the eyes of the boy she was just noticing. He had greeted her, a simple 'Hello there.'

She, of course, instantly dipped her head in acknowledgment and replied, "Hello to you, sir."

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[Garland]

It seemed like Garland's horse was getting a bit agitated because he was just standing around. Deep down the large scary looking black stallion, he was just as childish as Garland. With a smile he looked over to the girl he started talking to. She looked older than him, even though they were the same height. He extended his hand to shake hers, if she decided to return the gesture. He noticed that she was wearing a coat that looked similar to her mount's coat, was it coincidence or did she get her coat custom-made because of her horse. "I'm Garland, pleasure to meet you."

Tryn had broken free from Garland's hold and started running around the snow covered track, giving a very happy whinny as the snow was kicked up by the horse. It would have been beautiful to Garland if he was older, but as a young teen he didn't really have "time" to look at beautiful things for long, he was in the stage where he wanted to make his mark on the world as fast as possible before his prime was over.

Garland let his mount run for a while, he would be back in a few chimes. "I was wondering if you would like to have a small run with our horses, riding alone is very boring, don't you think?"

Tryn had ran around as fast as it could, then skidding to a halt right next to Garland, kicking up the snow and sleet, covering Garland and his new friend with a cold white blanket of snow. Garland shook off the snow and grabbed his horse, making sure he doesn't misbehave again.

[Ashryn]

The boy was walking his horse, which seemed strange since they were in a field where not only everyone else was atop their steeds, but also where it was expected. Ashryn tried to think of an explanation, but after noticing his attire, her guesses like, a stablehand leading a horse back home, or a servant holding the mount still for an absent rider, were destroyed and she came up empty.

The boy was wearing a full set of armor. He was clearly part of the Order, whether a Knight or a Squire, Ashryn was unsure how to tell the difference. He was wearing a large coat, of course, surely all that metal did not warm itself, especially with the weather today. She wondered why the boy was here. The reason the field is only open every ten days is because the Order uses it every other nine. For training purposes among other things like mock fights and whatnot. Surely this Squire/Knight would have been able to use the fields then...

Then perhaps he was off duty, and here to train his horse for personal reason, Ashryn wondered, and then once again reverted back to his attire. If the he off duty, why would he be adorning his armor.

The boy then introduced himself as Garland, a funny name, she thought, a garland was a wreath, made mostly of well looking plants, flowers and such. Ashryn placed her hand in the boys outstretched, her hand delicately atop his. She did not shake, instead her hand sat still. A lady-like greeting, one may say when observed. She retrieved her palm and placed it again around her horse's reins.

TwelveKnives was stamping the ground with a single hoof every few seconds. It was not a hostile action, he was simply bored of standing still. When the boys black mixed-breed suddenly sprinted away from his master, TwelveKnives jolted forward a few steps, wanting to join, until Ashryn managed to pull the reins enough to tell him to stop.

The boy then offered a run, Ashryn thought on it for half a chime then agreed, "That would be just fine." She answered. Her mount was almost shaking at the thought of running around. Ashryn herself was extremely new to that, knew it wouldn't go off well, but was willing to try it. She knew she would learn a thing or two about her horse and how to ride and control him. She just hoped she wouldn't fall off... Or worse, get bucked.

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[Garland]

He didn't really understand her gesture with her palm, but at least she gave contact. He gave a small smile, and climbed on his horse. "Let's start with a small trot around the field, if that's alright. Oh, What is your name by the way." He gave his heel a small tap and Tryn gave a small neigh and started trotting around the track. The snow fell slowly to the ground, the soft white clashing with Tryn's dark coat and Garland's own coat, though not as obvious as his steed's short coat.

The field was covered in hoof prints and slush, but the track was mostly clear of snow and slush mostly because of the few horses that used the track were kicking the slush to the side. Though he saw some riders were actually practicing jumping, Garland guessed that the more activity they do to the warmer they would feel.

Living in Syliras all his life, he loved just sneaking into the tracks and watch the knights or other riders practice, he had gotten use to seeing only knights when he snuck in, but he never really saw this place as empty as this though. Then again, when it was this cold, he would usually stay inside the orphanage and either get warm, play with the other kids, or plot, and plan either pranks or ways to fight back the growing bully power at the time.

Now that he was riding, everything felt so different. Garland knew that Tryn had a mind of his own, heck, sometimes Tryn would completely ignore Garland and just do what it pleases even if it meant getting a face full of tree branch for the squire.

"Huh... At least you're not galloping right now, or we would be in trouble because of the slippery ground." He said, giving Tryn a small pat on the head. Tryn mistook the sign and the word "gallop" as an order to gallop, which he was fine with. Honestly Tryn understood what Garland meant after a few seconds, but he just wanted an excuse to run.

Tryn galloped around the track once and stopped next to Ashryn. Garland held on for as long as he could, but half-way across the track, Garland fell off and landed on a small pile of slush, though it wasn't nearly big enough to cushion his fall. "Ow..."

[Ashryn]

...Trotting, Ashryn had only done that a few times. She was pretty content with simply walking her horse. She used TwelveKnives to get around the forest to search for her herbs, walking was a perfect pace, slow enough to search the ground for detail. Trotting, she knew, was faster paced. Not quite running, it was more like jogging.

"Ashryn, my name is Ashryn." She replied to the boy, embarrassed that she had not given her name when he had given hers. She was too distracted with her own thoughts to even realize she had failed to introduce herself.

Soon after the girl recited her name the boy's horse started to run off on its own. Garland probably expected the girl to follow her, but she didnt know how.

Ashryn bought TwelveKnives from a previous, old, rider who no longer had use for the horse. He was well trained, and the owner very skilled. She was aware that her horse knew how to trot, gallop and preform every other command, the only problem was that Ashryn did not know how to give said orders. She also knew that it would be a problem to stay on the horse while the ride became so bumpy. Her worries were confirmed when she watched her companion rider tumble from his mount.

As the dark mixed blood returned to Ashryn's side, somehow unaware of the lost weight on his back, she stared long and hard at the horse, trying to think of how to trot. To make a horse move she would gently nudge its side with her heel and say walk, the stallion would then begin to walk at its own leisure forward until given a direction with the pull of the reins. Perhaps is a kick in the side while standing still made TwelveKnives move, then a kick in the side while he was moving would make him go faster. She decided to give it a try.

Gripping the leather reins in her hand she gently dug her heel into the side of the Kavinka's stomach and said "Walk." in as commanding voice as she could muster. The horse instantly obliged and began to walk. After a few steps Ashryn dug her heel again and, in a more worried voice, said "Trot." After a second's hesitation the Paintedmount picked up his speed and began to trot.

The ride was extremely bumpy. It made sense, though. When a person walks they jostle up and down, their feet pushing against the ground the tread on. However for the stroller they don't feel the bumps. Their walk feels smooth to them. Imagine if someone was on their back, they would feel the shake. Ashryn remembered the piggy-back rides her father used to give her as a young girl. They were always bumpy rides, it was very similar to this.

Ashryn tried to control her horse, tried to go to the fallen boy and see if he was alright. But the shock of the ride seemed to make her lose all control, and all memory of how to. Her mount was leading her forward, she needed t stop and regain her thoughts. For a few moments she let the horse carry her, thinking intently on how to make him stop. Then she pulled straight back on the reins, directly toward the middle of her chest, and the horse stopped itself. She directed him to walk again and started to head towards to Squire/Knight.

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[Garland]

Garland gave a slight smile, to reassure to Ashyrn that he was ok. He got up and dusted off the snow that had stuck themselves on him. He went over to Tryn and climbed up again. "It seems like you're getting the hang of it. I wish I could say the same for me though. It has been a full season and I still can't really ride that well. I can barely ride."

He gave a small laugh and gave a small rub behind Tryn's ear. "Ashyrn... Hmmm... Are you new in town? Or is this the first time in the stables?" He said, trying to recall her name somewhere.

He had stayed in Syliras his whole life, so he knew a number of people here and there. He doesn't know a lot of people personally, but he could recognize a face and a name probably.

The sun was up high, meaning it would be the hottest time of the day, but he could only see a tiny sliver of sunlight as the large fiery orb was blocked out by a few heavy clouds.

He tapped his heel to let Tryn know to move. Tryn usually moves on his own pace, but occasionally follows Garland's command, mostly the ones that seem fun to the steed, like running or jumping, or anything that has a lot of moving.


Garland warmed up his hands by rubbing them together, "Do you mind telling me about yourself?"

[Ashryn]

Ashryn sighed a small breath of relief as the young knight stood, unharmed, and walked confidently back to his mount. The horse was truly a beautiful one, shining black fur, tall, strong legs. the boy's horse was a bit larger than her own. It was a Mixed Blood, Ashryn could tell. They were very common around here in Syliras, although they were the most common horse anywhere in Mizahar. Paintedmounts like TwelveKnives were common in Syliras as well since they were bred here, right in the Windmount Stables. But usually they were just a tad more expensive than a regular Mixed Blood.

Ashryn laughed at the boys comment, "Just because you haven't seen me fall of my horse yet, doesn't mean I don't just hang on tighter than you." She smiled, thinking herself clever. "I am not a skilled rider either. That is why I am at the track, training, instead of running around in the Bronze Woods"

The boy seemed to really care for his mount. She was unsure if the steed belonged to him, or if he just rented him from the stables. Each was possible, yet the young one enjoyed the rough, playful personality of the stallion. She thought that even if the boy doesn't own the horse, the two will bond as if they belonged together.

"There are a lot of people who live in Syliras. There is no way you can meet everyone. I am not new, I've lived here my whole life. I am however, guessing that I am just a bit older than you." Ashryn once again looked at the boys messy hair and still slightly rounded cheeks. "I would have been too old to meet you in school. And now I don't get out on the town very much anymore."

Ashryn kicked up TwelveKnives to a walk, and then again to a trot. She went a few yards, holding on tightly to the reins, then stopped her horse, allowing both of them to catch a few quick breaths. Ashryn then walked her mount over to the boy and his horse again just in time to hear him ask about her life.

Ashryn looked curiously at the boy. She wasn't used to people being interested in others. She had observed that others, men especially, liked to speak of themselves, brag about their accomplishments, conquests, ect. Surely a member of the Order would share that same mentality. She shook her head slightly, telling herself not to think the worst of someone before she knew them and told the boy a bit about herself.

"Well, there is not much to tell. I've already said I've lived in Syliras my whole life. Currently I work and study as a herbalist. I venture out in the Cobalt Mountains and Bronze Woods a few times a week to collect plants that I then study and experiment with until I feel like I know them and their uses completely. It's a passion." Ashryn grinned, she really did enjoy what she chose as her career. "And what about you? I can see you are in the Order, tell me about it. I don't get to talk to many Knights and Squires. When I make their acquaintance it is usually when they escort me outside the gates, and they, I've noticed, don't much like conversation."

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[Garland]

"Well, there is not much to tell. I've already said I've lived in Syliras my whole life. Currently I work and study as a herbalist. I venture out in the Cobalt Mountains and Bronze Woods a few times a week to collect plants that I then study and experiment with until I feel like I know them and their uses completely. It's a passion."

"Ah, I see. Well I know someone who works as a herbalist as well." He said, giving a soft tap with his heel. "You two might know each other, Suresslynn was her name, I believe she is a Dhani."

And what about you? I can see you are in the Order, tell me about it. I don't get to talk to many Knights and Squires. When I make their acquaintance it is usually when they escort me outside the gates, and they, I've noticed, don't much like conversation."

He gave a small laugh at her observation. "Well, it's mostly for show. Some of the other knights just can't keep quiet. It shows that Syliras doesn't want any trouble from outsiders, but can rightly protect ourselves." He said, looking at the snow covered ground. "Well, It's mostly hard work, training, and patrols... But we don't have to pay rent, so we have that going for us." He gave Tryn a soft rub behind the ear. "It's really a slow process, climbing up the ranks. You need to learn how to ride properly, for rescues or combat. Shield and weapon, bow and arrows, and just general knowledge of the area, combat, and the order. There's a secret ritual for knighthood, I probably shouldn't talk about it, beside I don't even know much about it." He gave a small smile, remembering the times him and his squiremates had rather weird and fun "social gatherings" in the dorms. "Most of the time it's rather docile inside the dorms, but other times... it can get pretty wild, we would usually get chewed out there. There aren't really any hard drinks, or music maybe just some rough housing here and there."

He gave a soft smile at Ashryn. "We're always looking for new members, if you know anyone who wants to join, I'll be glad to give them a recommendation. Not to toot my own horn, but I do have one large battle under my belt, the defense of the gate the second of Fall..." He seemed rather dejected about the day. "A lot of good people died that day."