A delicate bloom
aaa
Timestamp: 51st Day of Winter, 514 AV
Exercise was good for both her, and the unborn baby...but that didn't mean that she had to like it. Walking was the best way of exercise she could think of. But going for a walk meant going into city. And that meant snide remarks, and scorn for being a captive. It also meant getting pushed or shoved out of the way by her "betters," if she accidentally got in the way of someone who was in a hurry. And that could be dangerous if it caused her to fall.
The weather didn't make going for a walk any more appealing. It was cold, and dreary...which was only to be expected in winter. So it was with deep reluctance that Seirei set out on her walk. She walked briskly, both because it was good exercise, and because she hoped that by doing so, people would assume that she was busy, and leave her alone.
It seemed to work, too. As Seirei made her way towards the River Flower, no one bothered her. At first, Seirei had vague ideas of visiting her friend. But as she approached the healing tent, she realized that her friend was probably busy. For that matter, she didn't even know if Waisana was working today. And after her experiences with other healers, she was more than a little reluctant to risk running into anyone else.
With that thought in mind, she turned and left without entering the River Flower. She wasn't ready to return to Lian's tent though, so she continued on her walk. Not far from the River Flower, Seirei found a white and purple tent that was roughly half the size of the River Flower. White meant Opal Clan, so Seirei guessed that it must be related to the River Flower in some way. Or if not that, then it must be related to healing in some way, since the Opal Clan was known for its healers. But what did the purple mean, then? Purple was supposed to represent the Amethyst Clan...wasn't it? And they were known for being skilled with horses, and striders. How could the two be related?
The mystery was solved when Seirei saw someone lead a limping strider into the tent. It was a place where horses and striders could be healed much the same way that people went to the River Flower for healing when they were sick or injured. Perhaps other animals were healed here, too. It made sense that the Drykas would have a place that specialized in healing animals. Especially horses and striders, given how important they were to the Drykas people. Voices came from inside the tent. They were quiet, so Seirei couldn't make out much of what was being said, but she did catch the words Healing Hoof. Was that the name of this place, then? If so, it seemed to be a fitting name.
Seirei continued on her way. After walking aimlessly for a while, she found herself in a wide open area where herds of zibri, goats, sheep, oxen, and other animals that Seirei couldn't quite recognize grazed freely. She also saw flocks of chickens, geese, and ducks, as well as pigs, and rabbits. Several of the animals were heavily pregnant, and would presumably give birth in the spring. Seirei took note of this as she looked around, trying to figure out where she was.
"Seirei? What are you doing here at the Pride? Did Lian send you to buy some livestock for him?"
Seirei looked up at the familiar voice. When she saw Terrin, she smiled. She had only seen him a few times since she had met him for the second time, but she couldn't help but like him. He was very easy to like. And he didn't make her nervous and wary the way most men did There was something about him that made her want to trust him.
"The Pride? Is that what this place is called? And no, he didn't. I was taking a walk, and I just sort of...ended up here." she said softly.
Terrin grinned.
"Well, this is a very good place. It's peaceful here. It has to be, since this is where we breed our livestock. Hunt assist animals, the ones hunters buy at the Hunter's Allegiance to help them when they go hunting are bred here, as well."
Seirei nodded, taking note of what Terrin had told her. She had noticed that several families that were camped around Lian had various livestock of their own. This must be where they bought it from. She had also noticed that Lian did not own any. It was something she had wondered about a little from time to time. But she thought it was probably because he spent so much of his time out hunting. When would he have time to care for any livestock if he owned any? And since he lived alone...other than her, anyway, there was no one else to care for the animals either.
"What about you? Did you come here to buy livestock?"
Terrin shook his head.
"It's quiet here this time of year, so I often come to think. And when I do, I usually volunteer to help out for a while, so they will tolerate my intrusions."
"I should go, then. I don't want to be a bother to the people who work here, and I should let you think..."
Terrin shook his head again.
"I didn't come here to think this time. I was out visiting a friend who works over at Garthos Supply. It's a shop run by Garthos Treeshadow of the Ruby Clan. They sell all kinds of dried meats and fruits there, as well as other supplies someone going on a trip is likely to need. Tents, flint and steel, water skins...that sort of thing. You can also hire guards, translators, and guides there. It's a popular shop for the traders who come here. My friend works there, offering his services as a guide for people needing someone to show them around the city. He will also take people to Riverfall sometimes in the spring when we're staying close to that city."
"He didn't have much time to talk, though. And I have errands of my own to run. I was on my way over to the Spit Fire to see if they had any bear meat for sale when I saw you here." he continued.
He hesitated for a few ticks.
"Do you want to come with me?" he offered.
"We could go to my pavilion afterwards, and talk for a while if you want."
Seirei smiled shyly.
"I'd like that." she said simply.
Word Count11,022 words
Timestamp: 51st Day of Winter, 514 AV
Exercise was good for both her, and the unborn baby...but that didn't mean that she had to like it. Walking was the best way of exercise she could think of. But going for a walk meant going into city. And that meant snide remarks, and scorn for being a captive. It also meant getting pushed or shoved out of the way by her "betters," if she accidentally got in the way of someone who was in a hurry. And that could be dangerous if it caused her to fall.
The weather didn't make going for a walk any more appealing. It was cold, and dreary...which was only to be expected in winter. So it was with deep reluctance that Seirei set out on her walk. She walked briskly, both because it was good exercise, and because she hoped that by doing so, people would assume that she was busy, and leave her alone.
It seemed to work, too. As Seirei made her way towards the River Flower, no one bothered her. At first, Seirei had vague ideas of visiting her friend. But as she approached the healing tent, she realized that her friend was probably busy. For that matter, she didn't even know if Waisana was working today. And after her experiences with other healers, she was more than a little reluctant to risk running into anyone else.
With that thought in mind, she turned and left without entering the River Flower. She wasn't ready to return to Lian's tent though, so she continued on her walk. Not far from the River Flower, Seirei found a white and purple tent that was roughly half the size of the River Flower. White meant Opal Clan, so Seirei guessed that it must be related to the River Flower in some way. Or if not that, then it must be related to healing in some way, since the Opal Clan was known for its healers. But what did the purple mean, then? Purple was supposed to represent the Amethyst Clan...wasn't it? And they were known for being skilled with horses, and striders. How could the two be related?
The mystery was solved when Seirei saw someone lead a limping strider into the tent. It was a place where horses and striders could be healed much the same way that people went to the River Flower for healing when they were sick or injured. Perhaps other animals were healed here, too. It made sense that the Drykas would have a place that specialized in healing animals. Especially horses and striders, given how important they were to the Drykas people. Voices came from inside the tent. They were quiet, so Seirei couldn't make out much of what was being said, but she did catch the words Healing Hoof. Was that the name of this place, then? If so, it seemed to be a fitting name.
Seirei continued on her way. After walking aimlessly for a while, she found herself in a wide open area where herds of zibri, goats, sheep, oxen, and other animals that Seirei couldn't quite recognize grazed freely. She also saw flocks of chickens, geese, and ducks, as well as pigs, and rabbits. Several of the animals were heavily pregnant, and would presumably give birth in the spring. Seirei took note of this as she looked around, trying to figure out where she was.
"Seirei? What are you doing here at the Pride? Did Lian send you to buy some livestock for him?"
Seirei looked up at the familiar voice. When she saw Terrin, she smiled. She had only seen him a few times since she had met him for the second time, but she couldn't help but like him. He was very easy to like. And he didn't make her nervous and wary the way most men did There was something about him that made her want to trust him.
"The Pride? Is that what this place is called? And no, he didn't. I was taking a walk, and I just sort of...ended up here." she said softly.
Terrin grinned.
"Well, this is a very good place. It's peaceful here. It has to be, since this is where we breed our livestock. Hunt assist animals, the ones hunters buy at the Hunter's Allegiance to help them when they go hunting are bred here, as well."
Seirei nodded, taking note of what Terrin had told her. She had noticed that several families that were camped around Lian had various livestock of their own. This must be where they bought it from. She had also noticed that Lian did not own any. It was something she had wondered about a little from time to time. But she thought it was probably because he spent so much of his time out hunting. When would he have time to care for any livestock if he owned any? And since he lived alone...other than her, anyway, there was no one else to care for the animals either.
"What about you? Did you come here to buy livestock?"
Terrin shook his head.
"It's quiet here this time of year, so I often come to think. And when I do, I usually volunteer to help out for a while, so they will tolerate my intrusions."
"I should go, then. I don't want to be a bother to the people who work here, and I should let you think..."
Terrin shook his head again.
"I didn't come here to think this time. I was out visiting a friend who works over at Garthos Supply. It's a shop run by Garthos Treeshadow of the Ruby Clan. They sell all kinds of dried meats and fruits there, as well as other supplies someone going on a trip is likely to need. Tents, flint and steel, water skins...that sort of thing. You can also hire guards, translators, and guides there. It's a popular shop for the traders who come here. My friend works there, offering his services as a guide for people needing someone to show them around the city. He will also take people to Riverfall sometimes in the spring when we're staying close to that city."
"He didn't have much time to talk, though. And I have errands of my own to run. I was on my way over to the Spit Fire to see if they had any bear meat for sale when I saw you here." he continued.
He hesitated for a few ticks.
"Do you want to come with me?" he offered.
"We could go to my pavilion afterwards, and talk for a while if you want."
Seirei smiled shyly.
"I'd like that." she said simply.
Word Count11,022 words
