An Eye for Horseflesh

[Sama'el Sunsinger]

Sama'el sat cross-legged on one of the many rugs lining the floor of the Galesong pavilion, eschewing the comfort of a pillow. He took the drink with a smile and gentle words of thanks. The laws of hospitality were sacred among their people. Before he took his first drink, he murmured a prayer to Viratas to bless her bloodline. "I haven't traveled the whole of Mizahar," he assured her. "Cyphrus, Sylira, Taldera... I seem to remember the edge of Eyktol when I was very young, but that might have been dreams in my silly head. I was a very silly child if all the scolding was any indication. But there are many wonders, most of them outweighed by the dangers. At least in Cyphrus, there are the dangers we know." He found it strange how many of his nomadic people felt like they never traveled, when, in fact, Endrykas moved with the seasons.

[Caehli Galesong]

Caehli nursed her drink as she listened to Sama'el.She had frozen for a moment when he mentioned Eyktol. Anything associated with her mother unsettled her . She put her thoughts away from her and focused on her interesting guest. "You don't seem very silly now" she teased her eyes twinkled playfully "Aside from the Benshira I personally find nothing in Eyktol that's truly worth the travel" Although her tone was sweet she had hoped that Zulrav would carry the comment on the wind to her mother's ears somehow. "Cyphrus does have many snares and toils as all Drykas know...The glassbeaks and wolves or the general difficulty of finding water on the grasslands...However it holds some charm, the occasional life or death situations make the life of a Drykas interesting " This was only Caehli's perspective however since she often got into dangerous situations.Due to her very curious and naive personality she was well known for accidents and crazy stunts that could probably have ended her life however she still seemed unfazed. She collected her thoughts back on Sama'el and smiled for the millionth time, it seemed she couldn't help it. Caehli was very happy to have someone to talk to. "Tell me are the Vantha women are as beautiful as they say? Have you seen the Spires ?" Caehli had traded with the city Avanthal but had yet to see the eyes of a Vantha.She always adored the way the Vantha were rumored to look like.She had also heard of the Spires but only seen the city in the horizon.She also wished to meet a Jamoura due to the fact of their reputable intelligence .

[Sama'el Sunsinger]

He smiled and drank while they spoke, glad to sit back and relax, telling bits of story and remembering why he fought so hard to protect his people. He pursed his lips thoughtfully at all the questions. "I have been to Avanthal and Novallas," he said, "but not the Spires. And the women of Avanthal do not compete with Drykas women, even if their goddess paints them pretty colors." He smiled back at her. She was easy on the eyes, and easy to smile with. He would not let that make him sad, remembering Issima. Instead, he wondered aloud, "Do you think your father would mind terribly you showing me the herd?"

[Caehli Galesong]

Caehli smirked at this comment about the Drykas women. It was true that their were some pretty girls here in the encampment. A friend of her's Telia, was always getting proposed to by many Drykas men.However much to her father's frustration she had denied them all . "Well if anything we are a hearty people no? Although for such a strong city I do not understand the need to wear such shawls, jewelry and pretty baubles everyday. " That was Caehli's own personal opinion, although she never had much interest in flamboyancy anyways. As long as she had clothes on her back she was satisfied. When Sama'el had mentioned the herd Caehli nodded affirmatively. "Yes I was hoping you would ask really! My father if anything is always...um level headed and relaxed so he probably would not be surprised if I showed you our herd " she enthusiastically stood up and stretched. "If anyone knows the herd as well as my father it is I....Oh forgive my boasting !" she added as an afterthought. "So erm shall we go?" she asked blushing lightly at her folly. She did not mean the comment in any sort of arrogant way but the herd was her sort of her paradise. She felt a comfort with the animals that she didn't always feel with men or women. However it was surprisingly different with Sama'el it was probably because he was a calm and collected sort of person. Truthfully Caehli enjoyed Sama'el greatly, he would listen to her questions and answer thoughtfully. He was smart and well spoken, although not arrogant rather modest instead. Caehli was getting ahead of herself though, as she always did with any visitor to her father's pavillion. She was just happy he was kind enough to listen to her friendly interrogation.It was nice to have some company.

[Sama'el Sunsinger]

"Well, to each their own," he said generously. Some women liked baubles, and some didn't. Some men did too, and most Drykas men had a thing or two braided into their hair both to mark their clan colors, and to attract the women. The male of the species often wore the brighter plumage. But he stood up at her excitement, setting the dregs of his watered wine aside. "Let us go," he agreed, and followed her out of the tent. He was eager to meet the herd, and to his mind, a pretty girl surrounded by pretty horses was well nigh unto the Ukalas. For a moment, he let the Web seep into his vision, and he could see how tightly woven she was into her pavilion. This was a good thing. The Drykas survived by strength in numbers among other things. Unity was a great shield against the scavengers and predators.

[Caehli Galesong]

Caehli drew her hair up and set aside her shawl on soft grass. This was in preparation for one of the wilder stallions of the herd. "You don't mind do you?" she said as afterthought in indication to her bare shoulders and neck, normally Caehli didn't bare herself so casually. She especially didn't want to make Sama'el uncomfortable with her brazen act.She was also self conscious of her Eypharian gilted skin it just made her uncomfortable.The whole thought of it all made her flush at her flashy behavior but she tried her best to put her mind at ease.After all it was for that nasty tempered Torsten.He was a wild stallion rarely friendly with anyone but her, if Sama'el was interested in him she hoped he had some serious horse whispering skills. "Aside from my fathers and my own Strider we have three horses currently and a lot of sheep." She relayed as they walked out into the field."Only they are tacked up at the end of the day though".Up ahead there was a round pen and post with two more troughs of water, her father had made all by hand for the herd. Although the sheep were out and grazing in the fields the horses were put away. Two horses were tacked down to the post, they had enough rope to wander . Then one was put in the round pen that was restlessly cantering around the circumference of the pen. Caehli first stopped at the post, where a white mare and sooty palomino stud colt resided. It was a nice evening, the air was cool and grass smelled sweet. The sheep had made a symphony of bleating in harmony with the rest of the night. What was left of the sun left fragments of light on clouds and stars were peeping and twinkling in preparation of the moon's ascendance. Both horses greeted in gentle nickering out to Caehli. She smiled encouragingly at Sama'el and took his hand to pet the snowy mare's nose first. "This is Elin, she is sweet, kind and has great stamina for long travel. Although I think the best trait about her is her coat" It was true Elin's hide was soft and beautiful and very pleasing to touch. She herself then soothed the stud colt's mane. "This is Rehan..He is a little skittish still but faithful when you get to know him" In reply Rehan tickeled her ear with his muzzle, he snuffled her hair gently.A soft cry and a giggle emitted from her, they were joyful and childish "Forgive me they bring out the worst in me" she stifled her pleas of delight.

[Sama'el Sunsinger]

Sama'el smiled and shook his head; skin did not bother him, and privacy was almost unheard of among their people, unless one was in such a small pavilion as this, father and daughter or so it seemed. That would explain the need for penning their animals, which was uncommon among their people. He kept a few paces behind her as they approached the wilder stallion, knowing it would take a bit of time to develop a rapport with Torsten. But Elin and Rehan were friendly enough. He let her introduce him to the horses, and they seemed to like him instantly. Of course, he was also looking them over to ascertain their strengths and weaknesses, and whether they would be helpful for the development of his herd. "They are lovely," he said, not even acknowledging her apology. It was no weakness to love horses.

[Caehli Galesong]

"Yes they are!"Caehli agreed matter of factly, neither prideful nor defensively. She was impressed, Sama'el had a way with horses. The way Elin leaned her nose into his palm,the way Rehan bobbed his head and whinied insistently for attention as well. It was clear to see, after all horses are the best judge of character. Caehli just hoped that Torsten would be as taken with him as they were. He payed no attention to them and continued to canter restlessly around the pen. She felt bad for the poor beast, it could not be helped after all. Torsten was no pretty horse, he was a frightening thing. He was big, bigger than Din . Torsten stood at nineteen hands and was nothing but solid sinewy muscle. The beast had scars lacing liberally all over his brown coat, it was quite a sight to behold. Torsten was quite lucky he wasn't disfigured but it was clear as to why he had a tough judge of character in humans. Caehli approached the stallion slowly and confidently, after all if a horse could sense your fear naturally it wasn't going to reciprocate warm fuzzy feelings.Careful not to make too much sound nor large movements she crept up to the pen. Torsten seemed to notice Caehli and slowed to trot then walk before tossing his head. Although he was acknowledging her presence or something. Naturally Sama'el would do the same as she, so she just smiled encouragingly to him. "I hope you like wild things..." she remarked gently, loud enough to be heard but not booming to upset Torsten.

[Sama'el Sunsinger]

Sama'el, too, approached the wildest of the horses. He was confident, but calm. In fact, he seemed to radiate it, but he was around horses and he understood them better than he did his own kind. He held back just a bit, staying where the stallion could see him, but allowing Caelhi to reassure him. "I do," he said quietly. "I was traveling through Taldera a few seasons ago, and wished I had time to track the wild horses and collect a few, but alas. It was not to be." When the horse seemed as calm as he was going to get, Sama'el stepped forward, close enough the big stallion could reach out and get his scent if he wished, or back away if he was not in the mood to make a new acquaintance.

[Caehli Galesong]

Torsten gave Sama'el a hard once over. The silence was thick, almost too heavy to breath. Finally the stubborn beast snorted and tossed his head haughtily before trotting to the other side of the pen. Caehli snickered, "Sorry he's a tough critic.." she said as she lifted herself up over the pen. "Torsten..." she called out to the stallion. The horse snorted before kicking up his hooves. Dust rose from the ground, a temperamental warning. Caehli had her hands out and open, as though she could beckon the stallion on over. Very hesitantly the horse walked over, snuffling her hair harshly. Although he met her half-way, his nostrils were flared and ears pressed back. A cautious warning for any sudden movement. Then in slow, methodical movement Caehli mounted Torsten. She had to jump high to get her leg over, but the horse had no inclination of objection. Rather he playfully tried to buck her off, well that's how Caehli saw it and only laughed at his play. "Come on you beast, make nice!" She cooed, soothing his mane as encouragement to make friends with Sama'el. Although Caehli straddled the horse, it trotted without guidance. Going every which way as it pleased. Caehli's hands hung at her sides dangerously, but she trusted Torsten so she had no fear. After a few moments of consolment the horse begrudgingly approached Sama'el. He was still enough for Torsten to sniff at him curiously.His nose nuzzling cautiously into his hair. Which was quite the feat, it took a week for Torsten to even look Caehli's way. "See...all good, no bad" she cooed again, mindlessly petting his mane.She nodded at Sama'el to try the same. Although she hoped the horse wouldn't bite at the poor man. That would be counter productive after all.