I Bless the Rains Down in Syliras (Zydrunas)

[Sayana]

Spring 68, 515 AV The soft plod of hooves upon the beaten dirt road followed them as they left the city gates. Although she was still not entirely comfortable in the saddle, Sayana was getting much better. She still rode with a piece of fabric covering the saddle so that her legs wouldn’t get rubbed raw from the leather. Such were the complications of insisting on wearing a skirt wherever she went. Fortunately the skirt had a large enough slit down one side so she could actually position her legs on either side of the horse. The weather was nice, hot. It almost reminded her of Ahnatep, except for the vast number of trees looming over the horizon. Tree upon tree upon tree. Despite having left the city several times this spring to explore the surrounding areas, it still seemed unbelievable just how much wildlife there was. The Eypharian swayed gently in her saddle at the horse’s slow gait. They were heading where exactly? The Mithryn Outpost? She glanced over at her companion who rode next to her. Zyd, the Dhani who she’d met at the tavern, had asked if she might accompany him to the Outpost. He hadn’t been all that clear but one word was enough to get her to agree, “dancing”. She eyed her secretive companion who led the way. He was nice enough even though he was a little shy. However, he had ridden to the challenge of dancing with her on stage that night in the winter. Sayana was so glad it wasn’t winter now. She didn’t even wear her red sleeves anymore and was simply content with her beaded top with only thin cords for straps. Before the trip she had carefully packed a couple of meals and her waterskin. She had also brought a crude map she had drawn many days ago with the help of Intarus, an ex-hunter. It only had the barest of details including the city, the roads, the rivers and the rough estimate of where Mithryn Outpost was. Hopefully the map was somewhat accurate, but at least she had a vague idea of where she was going. As she thought back trying to make sure she had remembered everything for the trip, she noticed that Zyd was starting to get farther ahead. Bringing herself back to reality she gave a strong nudge of her knees against the horse and after the second try she managed to get into a trot. She wasn’t too familiar with this particular horse, since it was merely rented from the stables, but it seemed that most horses were trained in a similar way. The trot still felt rather jostling and she kept her mid hands firmly on the horn of the saddle while she held the reins in her high hands. As she fell alongside the Dhani and his horse, she managed to rein it back in to match his pace. “So, you said there’d be dancing?” The Eypharian asked curiously. She glanced back at the main gates of Syliras. Although the gates were still visible, the pair had been well out of earshot for several chimes. “Are you going to tell me why we’re going to the Mithryn Outpost? Is it for some party… or wedding?” What started off as some careful interrogation turned into some giddy excitement at what they might be doing. Sayana also unconsciously moved a low hand to her stomach at the mention of a wedding. Although it was by no means prominent, if one looked closely enough and didn’t mistake it for excess fat, one might notice that she was pregnant and slowly gaining weight. Ledger : 10 GM for renting the horse (with equipment) for one day. EditSayana recently drew a crude map of the region so I just made a minor edit saying that she brought the map (instead of memorizing one).

[Zydrunas]

It was a poor attempt to try and stay as balanced as possible upon the saddle, the difficulties of riding had yet to pass him and in honesty it took all his willpower to simply stay steady. His back had straightened, his expression flickering between calm and passive, to sheer terror the moment there was a particularly loud clop of hooves upon the ground. Still he tried his hardest, attempting to maintain the expected appearance a squire of the order had to maintain. So, dressed up with his gambeson and the large scimitar at hanging off his waist, Zydrunas was set at riding out to the Mithryn Outpost.

While there was the immediate reason behind it to see if he could get there by himself without a patron to guide him, to check the land as he travelled for any suspicious activity and there was the small nod of a more personal assignment set to him - to go out to the fields and rain dance. Of course, there was nothing in those orders that said that another could not come along with him. Instead of picking another squire, the man had chosen someone who would probably appreciate the act itself - or at least the honour of observing. He was not sure if she would partake, but that did not really concern him at the moment in time. He would leave her to whatever choice she decided to pick.

Glancing back, he saw the distance between him and the citadel grow, the stone walls of the giant nest of races shrinking ever further away. The bodies of the guarding knights shrunk, the shapes upon the flags blurring into colours until there was indeed nothing. He frowned only briefly, before the low whine of the horse grasped his attention and set his gaze back around. Gingerly he gave a pat upon the neck of the mount, a gentle patting as he resisted the urge to simply cling to it for dear life. The words of the stable master rattled around in his head then, 'do not fear the beast it'll smell it and know something is wrong, embrace it and accept for what it is'. Thus far, it had gone relatively well - it did not mean it stopped the strong sting against his lower half. He released a grunt as he peered into the contents in his saddle bags.

Small clay pots, gently clunking together and carrying their various pigments ready to be mixed with the binder solution - his personal tools that he would need for the events of today. He gave a peek at them, before drawing back to look forward. It was there that he continued his violent juddering on horseback. He winced, lifting himself up slightly from the saddle. His legs straightened, a small wobble as he tried to keep balance there. With a sway he let the aching muscles relax slightly, before he turned his attention to the question that had been posed.

There was a pause as he pieced together what was being said, a slow translation before he slowly nodded, "Dah, there will be," he begun slowly, easing back down into the saddle with a small bump. His cheeks gave a puff after that, "I got told to go there by big knight. Need to keep eye out on way. When there, dah, dan-csske." He spat his words out then, "Not wedding. Or party." He gave a point up to the sky then, hinting to the heat of the sun and general humid temperatures that had consumed Syliras for the moment, "It be for rain. Big knight told that the..." he tried to gesture growth, fingers wriggling upwards to suggests new shoots, "The... field?" His expression changed then, "Be dry? Need to water it." He gave a nonchalant shrug then his eyes briefly glancing across the other woman, before his hands returned to reins. She seemed well enough, healthy and vibrant - nor did he notice that she was pregnant, the biology of the warm blooded was not his forte, "Thought you would like to come, watch. Involve. Or maybe get out. It be good though."

Receipt :

Paint pigment consisting various colours: Azure Blue, Carmine, Saffron, black, and white - 0.5 gallon/2gm
Paint binder - 0.5 gallon/1gm
Total - 3gm

[Sayana]

It was tricky to simply keep her horse traveling beside the Dhani. Often it would either lean its head in towards the other horse, or would try to veer away finding itself too close to not bump into the other animal. Still, Sayana tried to keep its reins straight even as she weaved back and forth with her mount. As the Dhani began explaining the purpose of the excursion, she listened intently and curiously. Even though he spoke with broken common, it was more or less clear what he was trying to get across. Sayana grinned as he confirmed that there would be dancing. And told by a knight… Sayana frowned briefly but then realized that he was probably a squire. It was hard to imagine a Dhani as a squire but she shouldn’t have been surprised since half the people in Syliras seemed to be squires. Disappointment flashed over her face when he explained that it was not for a party, but it didn’t last for long. When she finally put together the fact that the field was dry and needed water, and they had come to dance, her face lit up straight away. Was he…? Did he actually…? She was going to do a rain dance today! Either her horse detected her full blown excitement or she squeezed it hard with her knees by mistake, but she suddenly found herself trotting at a fast pace down the road. “Zyd! Zyd! Zydrunas! Come on!” Sayana called back to him with a wave of her hand. Partly she was masking her mistake of trotting so fast and partly she had even more reason to get to the Mithryn Outpost in good time. When he caught up, or she slowed down enough so that they were back riding side by side, she tried to keep a tight rein on her excitement as she tried to weed out more answers. “So we’re going to help out in the fields by helping it rain?” She asked as she attempted to subtly confirm what he had said. She fidgeted in her seat obviously eager to learn more but not wanting to pile on too many questions. “When did you get blessed by her? You said you had danced the raindance when you were young with your family. Were you blessed then or were they also raindancers?” She spoke each question slowly and perhaps a little tentatively as if she were choosing each question with careful precision. OOCI figured that when they met to arrange the trip, they would have exchanged names. I also made a small edit to the previous post, she brought a crude map instead of memorizing one.

[Zydrunas]

How the woman managed to possess the ability to send the horse spurring onwards Zydrunas did not know. All the gusto coming forth in sharp blasts, growing up into a loud buzz of excitement. Perhaps she had simply worked out what his intention was, adding the pieces together and becoming absorbed with the idea of such a prospect. It did not help that his mount was taking those overly firm steps, wavering to the side for a moment before he leaned and attempted to yank it back across away from the bushes. Of course, it was having none of that and promptly decided to stop to munch at the leaves that begun to grow. With a sigh, he simply sat there watching the Eypharian trot on past with hers and the full blown grin.

It was with a call of his name and the quick words in common that he tried to drag the horse with himself once more. Tugging at the reins he pushed his heels in sharply, the horse giving a snort and stamp begrudgingly trotted onwards, sending him bouncing in the saddle after the woman. For the most part he did not speak, too focused on trying to manoeuvre the beast to obey him - and instead only found himself failing. At least, he reasoned, it was following after Sayana mostly. With a grunt he continued in his riding, his hand peeling away to rub at his thigh muscles as he did, "Coming. Coming. Much take over you now. Happy?"

He pulled back once more on the reins then, the horse head thrashing for a moment and then settling back down to the walk. His eyes constantly looked up and down the beast, eyes watching the world as he tried to listen to what she was saying. He merely stiffened as he did, eyes blinking as the questions despite being slow seemed advanced to his ears. There was a long pause as he took in her first question, "Dah. We are." With a hum he considered the next question in line, his brow creasing before he gave a shrug of an answer, "Do not know. Do not know time from before. It way we are." With a tilt of the head he tired to remember back then clearly, "We all of rain and river. Be way we are. All like the other." The golden orbs turned and glimmered at her then, "Long time ago though. But carried that then. Think maybe born with it."

In honesty, Zydrunas never truly thought about when he was marked - he simply accepted that it was the case and he had a job to do. Bring the rain, understand the water and work with it where he could. Grant life, and perhaps where he could make things a little bit better. Or balanced. He was not sure in honesty, and he doubted he would find the immediate answer any time soon, "But, that be then. Here be now. We dancske, have good time. Do it my people way. Any other... thing, Yana?" He groaned then, wriggling in the saddle as he once more tried to sit himself comfortable, his eyes scowling at the horses, "Not comfy, how you do well with that?

[Sayana]

As Zydrunas started trotting after her, Sayana looked back and grinned. She couldn’t help but chuckle a little at the begrudging attitude of his horse. There was a bit of a bump and it jostled her forwards as she gripped the horn of her stirrup tightly. He rode next to her for a little while and answered some of her questions. He had a funny way of talking but she was polite enough not to point it out. She assumed that like many Dhani, he spoke with the snakes of the desert much better than he did the people of the desert. Sayana gave a fond pat of her stallion as she listened. They were raindancers… and all of them by the sounds of it. And blessed at a very young age, or even at birth. Sayana’s lips tightened a little as she tried to keep the envy from her face. Makutsi truly did favor some over others. But not all Dhani were blessed. At least she didn’t think so. Perhaps his family had done something of special note for her. When he brought the subject back to dancing her face softened. It was no use worrying about how he was different and how he had come to achieve that. Especially not when he had invited her to dance alongside with him. “Any other... thing, Yana?” “I… As a child I always dreamed of getting Makutsi’s gift.” She spoke softly and hesitantly with obvious longing in her voice. But she felt the heat of embarrassment rise to her face and she quickly shook her head in attempt to leave the topic behind and move to another one. Even though she knew of certain gods and respected and admired them, she had never been a devoted and dedicated follower. She smiled lightly as he moved the conversation to the horses. “Not comfy?” Sayana asked. “You can stand up in the stirrups to stretch a little and sit back down so you’re more comfy.” She demonstrated by standing up, wiggling her hips a bit and then settling herself back down. “Also, when you’re bouncing up and down, it helps to stand up just a little. But it gets tiring.” “And don’t be afraid of the horse. Let it know that you’re in charge.” Sayana continued and then bent over to take out her map from the saddle bag. Using her low hands to unroll it, she looked at the crude sketch and tried to gauge the distances. They were probably near where the road would fork and then they’d have to turn right to go towards the Mithryn Outpost. She’d never been there but it looked as though the road mostly went there and there were only a couple of spots where they would have to cross the river. “Zyd, want to race to the fork in the road? When we get there we take the right path. It shouldn’t be too far now. Just don’t fall off.” The Eypharian gave him a wink as she returned the map to the saddle bag. “Ready?” Sayana kicked the horse hard into a trot and the horse lunged forwards as she gripped the horn of the saddle tightly. Even though it wasn’t anywhere close to a gallop she could still feel the wind rushing past her face and it felt exhilarating. OOCI know that currently Sayana has no points in riding, but she’s in the middle of a riding lesson on the 4th of spring (plus she’ll have done several outings), so I figure she’ll have 5-10 skill points by then. Also, she may have three engagement/wedding rings by this point, but I’m not going to write them until I know for sure.

[Zydrunas]

Rubbing was the sensation now that took him, the feeling of skin slowly starting to turn raw, the tenderness truly sinking in to something he would rather not experience. It did not help with the growing pressure against his sensitive either, forcing him to wince and rise a mere inch in the saddle to escape the pain. With the beast still clopping loudly beneath him, Zydrunas eased himself back down leaning back slightly on this occasion while his hand withdrew from the reins. It was from there that his fingers massaged at the inside of his leg. With a hiss he pursed his lips and looked upon Sayana, watching her expression change as she tried to understand his words. Another sharp inhale, he straightened and leaned back in the saddle slightly more - he could not get comfortable, let alone think about the correct riding posture.

He took himself to silence before at last speaking in a hushed tone, "My Papa, he told me one time... that with..." He paused, pursing his lips as he tried to work through the pain and discomfort as he shuffled forwards in the saddle, "With gift, there be power. And with power there be uh..." His finger circled in the air, his lips pulling back to sound out the word carefully and as clearly as possible, "Re-ss-pon-ss-ibl-ity." His hand tapped against his chest then, signifying the self, "Like for I, Zydruna-ss, be learning more about rain and water. My watch." He looked at her firmly then, the golden orbs unmoving as he did, "You know what I mean, dah?"

He gave only a small smile to the comment, "Not comfy. But that be... look hard?" He raised a brow as the woman demonstrated the skill of the other. He shook his head to the very idea, "I am not good for that yet. I feel. Need to be more. Better riding." He looked confused then. Let the horse know he was in charge? How was that possible? How did one achieve that? Did they just speak to it in a clear and audible voice? Or did they drag in someone who knew? Mind boggling he shook his head.

"How do you tell mount that you be in charge?" His eyes snapped between Sayana and the horse then, his body rocking as it moved beneath, "Do you talk to it then? Waggle finger and talk in mother tone." He cleared his throat then, forcing his accent to change to the ones he had heard - a terrible impression, he sounded like he was talking through his nose with a squeak in his voice, "You will do ah I ssay! You will, you will!" He waggled his finger at Sayana as if to emphasise his point before his throat cracked and stumbled back into his normal accent. With a croak he spoke, "Not like that?" A pause, the head tilting as he did, "Or maybe like, Neigh? Clop?"

Though, before he could object the Eypharian was off, the steady speed picking up into something faster. His own mount gave a snort while the Iyvess' form tensed up - staring after her as she disappeared. How did she achieve that? What did she do. He gave a rock forward, stirrups clipping the side of the horse. It gave a jerking few steps forward, slightly quicker than the walking pace of before, and sent him quivering in the saddle. Far from fast, he found himself pulling more at the reins to push the horse in the desired direction along the road. Still it seemed like Sayana was enjoying herself so he supposed that was something achieved. Finding himself simply gripping now onto the saddle for dear life, Zydrunas gave a shout after her, "Yana! Not too quick! Can-not-keep-up!"

[Sayana]

Power, responsibility. Sayana nodded at the Dhani’s explanation. Even though his words were broken up, it was still clear what he meant. Watching over the water and rain. Sayana smiled as he struggled with the basics of riding. Despite being only a beginner herself, she liked the horses, the freedom, the speed. She laughed at his impression of telling the horse that he was in charge. Soon she was off and she could feel the racing of the horse beneath her. Even in the hot stuffy air it felt refreshing and she could watch as the greenery passed her with the looming woods ahead. She tried to match her body to the gait of the horse, rocking forwards and back and trying to use her skill as a dancer to keep herself level. Ahead she could see the fork in the road and she gave another kick to her mount. Sayana grinned back at Zyd as he called out to her but then turned to keep her eyes on the goal. As the thunderous hooves reached the cross-roads she pulled on the reins hard with her high hands. The horse reared up and for a moment it was fear and not excitement that gripped her heart. Fortunately she already had her mid hands firmly holding the horn and most of her weight had been forwards. As the horse’s hooves landed back on the ground she pet him softly on the neck and quickly swung her leg over to slip off her mount. Back on two feet she held the reins as she stretched out her legs waiting for Zydrunas to catch up. “When you want to let your horse know you’re in charge, you have to let him know in ways other than speaking,” Sayana explained as she returned to their earlier topic with his approach. “How do you tell someone to come with you without speaking? How do you comfort a child without saying a word? How do you silence a busy tavern just by walking in?” While the answer to the last question was a little trickier, it was along those lines that Sayana wanted Zydrunas to be thinking. Sure one could speak all they liked, but if you didn’t have the presence and body language to match, it was rather fool hearty. With one more stretch, Sayana mounted up again and tugged on the right rein to lead the horse down the southern road. That should take them to the Mithryn Outpost. She had never been there, but that was the route her map suggested. She hoped it wasn’t wrong this time like it had been once before. It was still a goodly journey and she’d happily teach him the little she knew about horses and share her meal once Syna reached her peak. ---- Sayana gave a sigh of relief both when the obvious road to the Outpost jutted out from the main Kabrin road, and also when she finally caught sight of the cluster of buildings that marked the Mithryn Outpost. Much like Syliras, it also had a sturdy wall around it but they also passed sprawling farms along the way. By this point she was sweaty and down to her last bit of water in her waterskin. It was early evening and her legs were stiff and sore from riding all day. “I hope I can still dance,” Sayana said in an ironic tone as they approached the walled outpost. “What did you have in mind? Out in the fields or inside the walls where people can watch?” Of course, she always enjoyed an audience whatever the size, but if their true audience was really Makutsi, then she’d happily perform for a barren wasteland without a moment’s hesitation.

[Ball]

And the grades come rolling in.

 

Overall Comments

Aww the good part never was gotten to. I gave what I could to both of you. I know that the player behind Zyd is taking a hiatus, but it was graded nonetheless.

Please any questions ask away my PM is there for a reason. Please remember to mark the request as graded.

 

Sayana

Experience Points.

Riding (Horse)	+2
Animal Husbandry	+1
Subterfuge	+1
Navigation(Land)	+1
Teaching	+1

Lores.

• Accidental Nudging, Horse took as go faster
• Zyd: Blessed since birth
• Zyd: Made a funny (Telling a horse who was in charge)

 

Zydrunas

Experience Points.

Riding(Horse)	+2
Socialization	+2

Lores.

• Sayana rides better than I
• Riding(Horse) - Standing while riding isn't easy but it can be helpful

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