Horsing Around (Solo)

[Dimitri]

Spring 11, 511 AV

Dimitri woke up and heard a bunch of fellow squires talking. He got out of his bed and approached the hubbub. He saw six squires talking hushedly. One informed them that a bunch of knights were called out to something outside of the city so their squires had the day off. And Dimitri's patron knight, Ser Adamal Brinkaas was among those called to arms. He heard them discussing of where to go when one mentioned Sacred Arch Hotsprings. "We could borrow some horses and head there." They all agreed to do this. One told them all to meet at Windoak Stables in a halfbell.

Dimitri quickly did his daily exercises, polished his shield and sword. He got dressed in his breeches, white loose shirt, leather boots. He strapped his sword to his right hip, quiver to his left hip, bow on his back, and held his shield with left hand. He walked in a brisk pace to the stables. He arrived before the rest, for he had an idea in mind. He walked up to Serena Windoak, "Hello Sera Serena, I am looking to borrow a riding horse for the day, to go up to Sacred Arch Hotsprings with some fellow squires, and I'm looking for the tallest, fastest riding horse wth the best stopping power, that's available of course. Are you able to help me out?"

She smiled, "But of course Ser Dimitri. Follow me." She led him into the first barn, and to a central stall. In the stall was a pure gray horse standing tall. Many wouldn't choose it for it wasn't the best looking. But it looked strong and fast. "This here is Sleet, a Windrunner, she's perhaps one of our fastest and most experienced horses. She has carried many new riders and is good about taking care of them. She knows the nearby areas by name and will run if you simply command with 'run.' She can run despite your skill, so long as you hold on tight. She will most definately be the best choice. Just take good care of her, or I will take care of you."

[Dimitri]

Dimitri thanked Serena and walked up to the horse. He began gently rubbing it's muzzle bringing it's face close to his. Whispering, "If I take care of you, will you take care of me today?" Though he knew better, the horse gave a playful whinny as a reply. He smiled, and walked to the right of the horse, his hand trailing gently along it's course fur, feeling it's powerful muscles beneath it's skin. He reached down and grabbed a round brush. He began talking softly to the horse, though he honestly didn't know why. "We will be racing today, to the hotsprings." As he told this to the horse, he brushed it's fur using small circular motions. It wasn't to dirty so the brush didn't raise much dirt and grime to the top of the fur. He continued brushing the entire right side of the gentle beast. "Hopefully we will win, I'm not a really good horse rider yet, so you've got to work with me." The horse snorted, almost like it laughed. Dimitri switched brushes, this new one would remove the dirt that was brought to the surface from the horse. He made small sweeping motions, watching as clouds of dust flipped up from the course hairs. "I hope to be a great Knight one day, to serve Syliras." The horse looked back at him and seemed to bob it's head as if agreeing with Dimitri. He then took the last brush and began smoothing out the hair. He did long slow motions. "It won't be easy getting there, but it's the greatest duty there is. Well maybe aside from the duty to one's wife and children." As he finished smoothing out the hair, he made sure to inspect his work.

Satisfied he walked around the front of the horse, rubbing it's muzzle again. "Maybe I'll find a good woman one day. One that truly understands me, and will build a family with me. But that's probably far into the future. Do you have a gentleman of your own Sleet?" He then made his way to the left side of the horse. He got the round brush out once more, and continued the circular motions. "What would a nice girl see in a mere squire anyways? Have to be Knight to be anything." He finished with the round brush and switched brushes once again. He began flicking off the dirt, "Do you think I'd make a good Knight Sleet? You seem to be a good judge of character." The horse snorted in agreement. "Your too nice, Sleet, I'll be sure to take good care of you today." he switched to the final brush and smoothed down the gray coat. "I'd like to be a better Knight than both of my parents. Don't get me wrong, they are good knights, but never leave the safety of the walls. I'd like to see the world. Maybe on a steed as fine as yourself?" He finished brushing it to his satisfaction, and began to saddle it.

He first grabbed it's saddleblanket, and began checking to make sure it's clean and free from debris. "Have you seen the world Sleet? Gotten outside of these protective but sometimes stifling walls?" He placed the blanket in front of the withers making sure the padding was evenly distributed. He then grabbed the saddle, and ensured the cinched and stirrups were properly in place. "So do you like to race? I've heard you're fast." He lifted the saddle high enough so the stirrups wouldn't hit the horse and startle. He set the saddle on the blanket, ensuring that it was squared up and even. "I bet you do." The horse looked back at him and whinnied gleefully. Dimitri walked around to the right side of the horse to check the cinch and stirrup. He made sure to keep a hand on the horse through the entire process so it knew he was there. "Do you have any children Sleet? Some little grey foals to make a mother proud?" The saddle was centered, so he raised the front of the saddle a bit to allow for an air pocket. Dimitri squatted down and grabbed the latigo on the opposite side of the horse, and ran it through the cinch and D-ring twice. He quickly knotted the latigo, and slowly tightened the cinch so it was nice and snug. He double-checked the blanket, the cinch strap and the knot. Satisfied he tied the remaining latigo string up. Satisfied, he walked the horse out into the barn floor, making sure the saddle was properly fitted.

[Dimitri]

Dimitri then hooked his quiver, bow, and sword to the saddle. He placed a hand on the beasts neck to let it know he was there. He then placed a hand at top the saddle. He crouched and leapt, using his arm to guide and pull him as he landed hard in the saddle. He leaned forward and whispered into the mare's ear, "Good girl, let's get you warmed up while we wait on the rest of them." He rubbed her neck caringly, and grabbed the reins. He tapped the horse's sides with his heels and it started forward in a decent trot. He wasn't totally used to reins, preferring to ride bareback, but managed to lead the horse without much difficulty. He took it in a cycle around the barns, gettif used to the smoothness of her gait.

He wanted to get a little more used to her speed. He lead her into a quick canter. She was large and fast and her canter was noticably faster than the other horses he'd been on. He took her to the perimeter of the field and she just took off. He was holding on tight, never having gone so fast. He quickly realized it wasn't as fast as it seemed. He saw other horses galloping a lot faster. However her quick canter felt like a slow gallop. He shifted properly so her bouncing stride and speed wouldn't throw him. He tool her around the field a few times when he saw the first squire arrive. He slowed her and began over toward the barns.

[Dimitri]

He sat atop Sleet chatting with the other squire as all the rest began to arrive. He watched aloofly as they began discussing a race to the hot springs. He knew he made a wise choice picking her out. Who could resist a little competition? He walked her back and forth along the length of the barn, watching as the other squires geared and mounted up. He whispered to Sleet, "We've got this girl right? You won't let any of these other horses pass you up?"

As the squires were all ready they gathered together and road their horses slowly down the street to the main gates. The gate guards smiled, they had all done this at one point or another. They even took minor bets on them. None bet on Dimitri. "Make sure you boys don't interfere with any traveling citizens." All of them solemnly complied and they lined up facing the corner of the wall. When it was determined to be a straight starting line, one of the guards took over. From the wall he shouted. "Ready..." Dimitri tightened his grip on the horse. "Steady..." He leaned forward, his legs ready to start her off. "Go!"

[Dimitri]

The line of horses and squires lurched forward. Dimitri kicked Sleet out fast, he had to make it to the south east wall corner first. That would be the first deciding point. And right now he was in the middle of the pack, leading by a neck. The hooves were thundering loudly, dirt and grass kicking up. Some of the younger squires either holding on for dear life or looking around stupidly at the competition. Dimitri leaned forward a little further, urging on the mare, kicking her lightly once more to urge her forward. She continued firing forward, now abou a half body length ahead, two others breaking away as well.

The corner of the wall was coming up fast, the squires could hear guards on the wall cheering. The three horses in front broke away by a body length, and Dimitri aimed sharply toward the corner, cutting off one on the inside, and being followed on the outside by the third. The one he cut off had to stop quickly before smashing into the corner as Dimitri nosed in stealing the lead. He began breaking across the grass, racing to the next point in the wall. They were going down a small dip and coming up on a rise. Two more horses joined the leading pack bringing it to a foursome. Dimitri was third from the inside now, risking losing his spot.