[The Bronze Woods] Healing & Hurting

[Jeremy Casing]

Healing & Hurting. 32nd Winter, 514AV

It had been a long time since Jeremy had last ridden a horse. He'd been a young boy, sat with his mother as she rode a borrowed horse on the outskirts of Sunberth. At the time, Jeremy had been terrified and sat gripping the reins for dear life, face pale and breath short.

Despite being less than two years ago, he remembered very little from the experience. Thankfully, the horse he sat atop now was incredibly calm, and through the language of Nura Jeremy managed to convey any instruction he wished. It would have made for smooth riding, if it weren't for Jeremy's complete lack of posture and subsequent discomfort. How people could ride horses all day and night he could never quite fathom.

His left hand moved from the reins to the horse's mane, and Jeremy felt the familiar hum of Nura passing between him and the Zavian mare. She had endless patience for people such as he, who lacked both confidence and skill. When Jeremy requested that she break into a trot, she obliged contently, smoothly increasing her speed until Jeremy bounced uncomfortably on her back. He relied his apologies for his clumsiness, and she returned his gesture with kind appreciation.

Jeremy withdrew his hand and placed it back on the reins. It was too easy to lull into the silent conversation of Nura, where words were not the medium of communication but images and memories, feelings and thoughts. This was especially true when in the company of an animal like this kind mare. They rode on in silence, and as they continued their journey Jeremy's stomach knotted. The Bronze Woods had been apparently been burnt badly in the fall, though the Kelvic did not know exactly what to expect. He was not even sure whether he would be of any help - the woods were not technically in his urban domain - but as a Witch, he had to investigate the matter.

The woods hung fuzzily in the distance, green mingled with brown. It was still unclear just how much damage the wood had sustained, but Jeremy shrunk in his saddle pensively.

[Katelyn Marks]

Today was the first time she'd really been out since they found Garreth. The fresh air would do her good, her mother had urged. Reluctantly she'd agreed, and that was how she found herself heading north on the Kabrin. Katelyn wasn't sure how far she would go. Perhaps all the way to Syliras just to have a goal to work toward. Sebastian was quiet and attentive as they rode in a steady walk. He swayed underneath her, placidly following the road with his head down and ears listening ahead. Her posture was lazy today--she barely held the reins and just let her pony lead the way.

They'd ridden this route so many times over the years that it didn't even matter. She rested her hands on her thighs and stared out at the rolling fields as they went by. Snow covered the ground in an almost endless white, swelling and dipping with hills and blemished occasionally by trees heavy with ice and powder. In the distance she saw several deer rooting in a far field for something to eat. Their heads lifted as Sebastian clopped by and they watched the two of them with their long ears perked suspiciously.

When Kat finally picked up the reins again one of her pony's ears twisted around curiously, showing she had his attention. She tapped his sides lightly and murmured an absent command, and Sebastian lurched into an easy short-legged trot. The road's powder crunched under hoof and tossed about as he picked his feet up faster, and Kat relaxed her hips to rock side to side with his change in gait. She guided him around a bend in the road with a twist of her reins against his thick neck, and as it straightened again she found herself urging him a little faster.

He stretched into a lope at the command of her legs and sprayed snow in his wake. Kat leaned a little further over his withers and guided him up the icy road, eager now to get away. Maybe she should just leave? Let Sebastian carry her past Syliras and around to the west towards Cyphrus. She could meet the Drykas. See the rolling plains that were an endless ocean of grass in every direction. At least that's what people said it looked like. Kat could feel tears prick her eyes and she quickly tried to rub them away. It wouldn't do any good to disappear. What would her mother think?

The thoughts plagued her for several bells as they rode further north. She allowed Sebastian a few long walking breaks between alternating bursts of trotting and near-galloping. She was riding hard again when Sebastian sensed the other rider in the distance. Kat saw his ears shift, head lift, and felt a hesitation in his stride. She spotted them not long after up the road, and started to rein her gelding in. He shifted down through the gaits slowly--more careful and hesitant on the icy road. When he finally slowed to a walk she drew him in with a tight rein and watched the stranger approach.

It looked to be a man--which was confirmed as he came closer and she could make out his shape more--and he seemed to be alone. Suspicion controlled her hand as she grabbed her dagger's hilt and slid it from the sheath strapped to her belt. Kat couldn't help but note that it wasn't the reaction she would have had just a few short weeks ago. She tried to be discreet by lying the blade across her lap behind the swell of her saddle.

[Jeremy Casing]

It took Jeremy much longer to notice the other figure than it should have done, and he muttered grumpily to himself about being lost in his own mind yet again. The old mare underneath him nickered quietly, and he patted her neck to convey a sense of calm and reassurance. She did not believe his confidence, and neither did Jeremy.

Conflict did not weigh in his favour. He was slight of build, quick but weak. As a boy, endless taunting and bullying had broken down his already shrunken confidence. Even his gnosis had reinforced the importance of civilly and peace. The mission he had as a Phylonurist was frustrating and exhausting, but there was no need for aggression. His gold eyes remained fixated on the other figure, hands tightened on the reins and the mare slowed to a plod in response to the tension.

If trotting had been uncomfortable, slowing down did little to save Jeremy's backside and dignity. He rocked sideways with each step, his back was slumped. Jeremy had not yet decided how he was planning on dismounting this horse, but already he guessed it would be a mammoth task that would result in scrapes and bruises.

The two riders were closer now, and in order to avoid any awkwardness, Jeremy stuck up his hand and gave a crooked smile. His eyes, however, remained focused and were untouched by his grin. They watched the woman keenly, strangely birdlike despite being situated on a human face. "Good afternoon." He said eventually, aware of the stretched tension and suspicion between the two riders. The Zavian mare stopped shortly, interpreting her rider's words as an attempt at conversation.

[Katelyn Marks]

The first thing that Katelyn really noticed about the stranger was that he didn't seem confident in his saddle. It looked as if a strong gust could throw him from the back of the mare he rode. His hand rose in a cautious greeting, and she took her time looking the man over before mimicking his gesture halfheartedly. Her uncertainty was obvious in the skeptical set of her brow, the lopsided tilt of her frown, and the rigidity of her posture. Kat admitted to herself that he didn't look threatening, nor at all dangerous.

He was lanky and strikingly pale, with strange eyes that she couldn't form an opinion about. Kat decided that he was just odd.

"Hello," she returned reluctantly after her long pause.

Katelyn was about to ask why he was out riding alone, but realized before the question left her lips that she was doing the exact same. And so they were at a stalemate. She warred silently with herself, grinding her teeth and shifted in her saddle before finally deciding to continue the conversation.

"My name's Katelyn," the redhead said, trying to sound pleasant. "What has you out here on the road in this weather?"

That probably came off more than a little suspicious, what with her being out here alone as well. Her pony snorted loudly, blowing a long stream of white through his nostrils. He was curious about the old mare, but Kat backed him up a pace or two to draw his attention away. She touched his neck comfortingly and gave him a few soothing strokes, murmuring a quiet reassurance.

[Jeremy Casing]

Jeremy's eyes flickered from woman to horse, and it was the latter that he sent silent questions to. Conversing via Nura with domestic animals was always a completely different experience to wild animals. They had loyalties, affections with their people that were all too easy for Jeremy to dismiss and insult. Fortunately, he had learnt to be tentative over his years as a Phylonurist, so when his gold eyes met those of the mountain pony, he ensured that curiosity was the main emotion he portrayed.

The small horse conveyed feelings of such intense loyalty to this woman, Jeremy's eyebrows twitched upwards in surprise. They had been together for quite some time now, their friendship mutually loving. Jeremy smirked; underneath the pony's sense of dedication to his mistress, there was a sense of thinly veiled determination and attitude.

When Jeremy looked back upon the woman's face, his expression softened a little. "I am Jeremy. Pleased to meet you, Katelyn."

Jeremy had been trapped in Syliras for only one day, but already the dismissive attitude the townspeople had about nature irked and exhausted him. It was a relief to be in the company of another person who appreciated Caiyha's creation, even if only in the form of a pony. "Oh, I am going to the Bronze Woods." He answered casually, hand gesturing forwards, towards the trees up ahead, "I heard about the fire last season and I want to see what I can do."

It took several ticks for Jeremy to realise that a further explanation was necessary for his mission to make sense to the redhead, "I am a Phylonurist, you see. Have you come out for any reason?"

[Katelyn Marks]

The stranger seemed to visibly relax, but why she didn't know. Katelyn eyed him curiously before deciding he was just out and about like herself. His greeting seemed heartfelt and warm, and she just didn't have it in her to keep up the defensive. It wasn't her character. So her lips finally offered a smile--small but still a smile nonetheless. It was a lot harder to force those muscles to move lately.

Kat nodded as he spoke of the fire and shifted in her saddle, getting comfortable. She looked at the treeline, squinting slightly against the sunlight. The forest's branches were heavy with snow and ice, bowing under the weight of winter's embrace. They creaked quietly as the wind caressed them, playing with the light and shadows filtering through.

"There was a lot of damage so I've been told, but I don't know what you could do about it. All that can be done is just wait and let nature take hold again. The ashes will make that ground fertile. It shouldn't be too long before plants and animals return, especially with this winter. They'll have had a good frost seeding."

Then the strange word tumbled from his lips. One she was unfamiliar with. It sounded like some kind of title, but she hadn't a clue what of. Katelyn gave him a quizzical stare and examined him more closely than she had before. He didn't look to be of any rank. Really he was pretty plain, although with those sharp features that looked a little wild.

"I'm sorry," she began. "I can't say I know what a... Phylonurist is. Does that have something to do with the Knights? I'm just out for a ride myself. Had to get away. Clear my head."

She released a gusty sigh with her confession, her breath a long white pennant hanging in the cold air.

[Jeremy Casing]

Jeremy's facial expression hardened as he listened to the woman's description of the damage to the Bronze Woods. She seemed hopeful, though Jeremy did not share this optimism. Yes, the ashes would be fertile ground for new plants to grow, but that would be a slow process. New sprouts were delicate, prone to destruction and falling prey to hungry animals.

But it was her follow-up question that truly surprised the Kelvic. "You don't know?" He repeated her statement, eyebrows raised. She had seemed interested in nature, knowing more than the average city person. he had thus expected her to know Caiyha, and of her gnosis.

"A phylonurist is a person blessed by Caiyha, the goddess of flora and fauna." A hand gestured to the approaching woods before them, then Jeremy also nodded to the woman's pony. "It means that I can communicate with plants and animals. It is my mission to help all of those in Caiyha's domain, hence my visit to the woods."

He allowed his words to settle in the quiet that followed, and in the meantime Jeremy readjusted in his saddle. His gnosis did little to improve his horse riding ability, or his comfort in a saddle. A small smile flashed across his lips. "Ah. Yes. I understand what you mean. Do you live in the city?" He glanced over his shoulder, to the disappearing walls of Syliras, "I have been here for less than two days and already I want to escape from beyond those walls."

[Katelyn Marks]

She felt pretty silly when he seemed surprised that she didn't know what he was. Her pale cheeks flushed and Kate shrugged, a little defensive.

"I don't get out much, I guess," she tried to justify, but it sounded like a poor excuse even to her.

He wasted no time in educating her though, and it definitely wasn't something to do with Knights. Her lips popped open in a silent, surprised little exclamation, and her brows arched in curiosity. Kate glanced at Sebastian beneath her then back to Jeremy, confused and invigorated all at once.

"I... No, I live at the Mithryn Outpost. The farming community just south of here," she mumbled distractedly, then jumped on him with questions before they overwhelmed her.

"You mean to tell me you can talk to animals and plants because a Goddess singled you out? Any time you want? What does Sebastian say? What do plants even talk about?"

Her excited babble was quick and long-winded. Kat's confused features had turned into an amazed smile, and she beamed at the Phylonurist with wonder and awe.

"That's why you're going to the burned out part of the woods, isn't it? To do... whatever it is you do?"

She felt like a child again, asking all of these questions so animatedly.

[Jeremy Casing]

Her reaction to his explanation, as frantic as it was, made Jeremy laugh earnestly. Oh, he had been met with many questions before, but never quite so... enthusiastically. Usually people would raise their eyebrows and make casual inquiries, or say nothing at all. It was a pleasant surprise.

"Well, technically I have to make eye contact with an animal, or touch the plant, but--" his voice trailed off, for once bathing in the appreciation if someone else. Yes, his gnosis was an amazing thing, and he was glad that someone else appeared to share this sentiment. "Here, let me show you."

He rolled up the left sleeve of his cotton shirt, revealing a complicated scene that would not look out of place on a tapestry. On the reverse of his palm there was a circular pond, which was attached by a stream that appeared to flow downwards from his elbow. Higher up on the arm, from midway up to the elbow joint, was a collection of brown, black and grey squares. Closer inspection of the gnosis mark would reveal them to be buildings, and every so often the flickering of a candle might pass through one of the tiny windows. In between the buildings were patches of green, say from a tree of a bush. These were rare though, and the general impression of the urbanised section of the gnosis looked busy and a little depressing. The main features though, and the one that Jereremy loved the most, were the animals. Murky fish swam in the pond on his hand, birds lined the rooftops, and a yellow duckling and a white swan appeared to be swimming up the river. And they actually moved. Trees swayed to a non-existent breeze, and the crows and sparrows on the rooftops appeared to be constantly squabbling and jostling each other.

Jeremy spent several ticks marvelling at his mark, until he finally tugged his sleeve back down. "Caiyha gave me her gift to do her bidding and to protect her animals and plants. It is serious work but - in answer to your question - Sebestian speaks fondly of you. He is loyal, and passionately so"

The Kelvic paused, not for dramatic effect, but to merely collection his thoughts together. As proud and honoured as he was to show off his gnosis, he did not want to mislead the young woman. "It's not so much speaking, as such, not like we're doing right now. It's more..." He struggled to explain the sensation, licking his lips as he thought. "When I touch an animal or plant, they convey their feelings to me, through images or memories. I get a pretty good idea of what they're saying and fortunately, I've not had any mishaps yet." He placed an absent hand on the mare's neck, and instantly her own questions buzzed his mind: Why are you so keen on impressing this woman?

[Katelyn Marks]

She'd never had such a informative conversation about gnosis before. Katelyn never would have imagined someone having such powers, but clearly the Gods were capable of anything. Giving a human such gifts? It was amazing. When Jeremy rolled up his sleeve and called her attention to his arm, she eager nudged her pony a little closer so she could get a better look. The elaborate art on his arm could possibly be mistaken for a tattoo at a distance, but when Kat's intent gaze drank it in, it took her breath away. The colors were a little drab. Her eyes started at the pond and wound up his forearm following the stream to the cityscape.

The redhead's breath caught when saw the flickering of light in windows, and birds shuffling on the peaks of rooftops. It was moving. She glanced at Jeremy's proud face, but couldn't help but quickly look back at his gnosis. A tail flashed in her peripherals and her gaze was drawn back to the pond where a big fish swam lazily. A smile had begun to spread across her face, and she fought the urge to touch the mark. Would it feel like skin? Or something else? She shook herself visible and drew away as he rolled his sleeve back down, giving them both some space.

With a flex of her wrists she pulled Sebastian's reins inward, and he took a few steps back. His ears perked a little when the Phylonurist said his name, and Katelyn's smile split into a beaming grin.

"He does?" she breathed, instinctively petting her pony's course mane. Her heart swelled with the knowledge, and her cheeks flushed with pride.

"It's amazing," Katelyn finally said when he finished his explanation. "How long have you been a Phylonurist?" she asked, stumbling slightly over the long and unfamiliar word. "What are you planning for the acres that were burned?"

More and more questions kept coming. She could keep this up all day, the woman realized.