Flashback Encountering Kin (Crypt)

[Kyarni]

Kyarni turned to look at Crypt, her displeasure evident in the downward angle of her eyebrows. She did not appreciate being called a child. Though she was not yet ready to find herself a mate, she still considered herself an adult. She'd been independent ever since she turned fourteen, and did not see herself as a child anymore. But she didn't want any of his alcohol anyway. She'd been offered wine at great celebrations, and hadn't liked the taste much at all. She'd also seen the effect the drink had on men and women alike. That wasn't something she wanted. Kyarni put Loras' reins back up over his neck, since she'd made the mistake of leaving them down and the great lug had gotten tangled up in them more than once. Then she turned back to Maras, came to his nearside. He was taller than Loras was, and even with him, she used a stone or something taller to get up. But she was not to look stupid in front of her kin. Especially not her father's kin. So she gave a little hop, pulled herself up, not at all very graceful with her flailing legs and arms. Once she was set and found a good seat, she sat proudly. Kyarni had never ridden any horse but her own. It was odd, but not at all unwelcome. Her words stilled on her tongue. Surely this man's horse didn't know a speck of Kontinese, but hopefully knew physical aids. When she felt relaxed enough to do so, she tapped her heels into the horse's flank, encouraging him forward into a canter. Loras' head rose and he snorted, taking a few steps forward out of confusion. He ground at his bit in displeasure, swinging his head and bumping it into Crypt, hoping he'd get the idea. For Loras knew his rider, and she wasn't the best navigator if she didn't keep an eye on where she was supposed to return to.

[Crypt]

Crypt smile widened as Kyarni displayed her displeasure at being called a child. “Well, that's the truth, cousin. You'll grow, of course, but you're still little.” Crypt fought the immense urge to laugh at Kyarni's ungainly attempt at mounting Maras. It was quite hard to do so; Kyarni's wildly flailing arms and legs were extremely comical, not to mention her apparent 'grace'. Still, her posture was fine. Crypt glared at Loras after Kyarni moved off. “Well, I guess it's just the two of us now.” Crypt placed his left foot on Loras' saddle's right stirrup and lifted himself into the saddle. And it was then where Loras started bucking like a wild horse, displaying his discontent with Kyarni riding Maras. Crypt hung onto the saddle for dear life, trying to convince Loras to stop. “Whoa there, boy! Damnit! Didn't your owner teach you any manners? Alright, calm down, calm down - OH MY GOODNESS! You godforsaken fool of a horse! That hurt! Right, if you don't listen to me, Loras, you'll be missing your owner soon. So what will it be? Do I turn you into horsemeat or will you listen to me and go to Kyarni?” Loras stopped immediately and started trotting leisurely towards Kyarni and Maras. The things I have to deal with... Seriously... If he does something funny again, I swear I'll have horsemeat cooking over the fire tonight.

[Kyarni]

She'd never ridden a Strider before. His gait was smooth and extended, and brought joy and adrenaline to her veins. She encouraged him to his full speed, leaning forward just a bit. Loras was a good, fast horse, but not nearly as fast as Maras. It was almost too much. Had she a lick of sense, she wouldn't have gone so fast, but she was wrapped up in the moment. Trees passed her by in a blur, the air whipping her limp hair up behind her like a white curtain. The urge to laugh bubbled up in her throat, but she suppressed it, a small smile on her face. "Woah..." she breathed, smoothing her palm over the horse's neck. Kyarni only had the bravery to look over her shoulder when he slowed down, waving an arm at Crypt in the distance. "Come, Cousin!" she called, turning Maras around to wait for them, her breath coming heavy and fast, eyes bright with adrenaline.

[Crypt]

Crypt was starting to enjoy riding slowly on Loras. It wasn't as comfortable as Maras, of course, but there was a certain feel to it that made riding Loras comfortable. Still, Crypt's good mood faded in an instant as he observed Kyarni accelerating away from him. Loras whinnied, and started to gallop towards Kyarni. Goddamnit, she's running away with my horse! Well, not running, but still... Maybe she wants to play catch? Well, let's give it a go. She's easing up, not as stiff as before. That's good. No cousin of mine will be that quiet or that serious. “Loras, if you want to see your owner again, you'd best be getting over there sharpish. Hold on a tick, let me adjust the stirrups.” Crypt alighted from Loras' back and shortened the stirrups. Getting up on Loras' back again, he nudged the steed to face the diminishing figure of Kyarni and Maras. “Time to go, buckoes.” With an immense effort, Loras leapt forward and galloped at an increasing pace towards his owner. Crypt took the battle stance of a horse jockey, seemingly squatting on Loras, not sitting on the saddle. He crouched over Loras' back, shifting his position slightly to ensure that Loras would be able to move at his maximum speed. And so the chase was on.

[Kyarni]

Kyarni didn't consider herself a thief, though she was known to borrow things from others, always to return them when she grew bored of them. She loved her own stallion dearly, would never trade him for any other mount, no matter the quality. Loras knew her, and she knew him. Knew he was prone to eating the wooden gate of his stall back in Mura, knew how to calm him down, knew his favourite treats were candies, and especially mints. But she liked to give new things a try once in a while, and this was one of those things. Kyarni pulled back, watching warily as her cousin pushed her horse into a hard gallop. She made a little sound, like a chuckle but not quite. If this was to be a game, then she would play. Clicking her tongue, she drove her heels into the stallion's flanks, not hard enough to hurt him, but persistent enough to pull a noise of mild protest from his throat as he turned on command and shot forward, hooves pounding into the forest floor and turning up twigs and dirt behind them. If Ky's Konti family were to see her now, surely they would think her insane. They lead such calm, peaceful lifestyles that childish games of tag were looked down upon. Her mother especially disliked her rowdy lifestyle, tried to convince her daughter that riding horses and travelling all over would one day lead her to her death. The wind was drying out her eyes, but Ky ignored it, urged him on with whispered words of praise in a mix of Common and her native tongue. What would her father think? She couldn't be sure, but something was telling her that he would not disapprove of such things. She'd never met the man, but now that she knew of Crypt and where Escarvon was staying, she'd find her way there, one way or another.

[Crypt]

Crypt was enjoying this. A lot. It had been ages since he had a good chase, and he had missed the feeling of the air whistling through his hair. All was right now. Crypt smirked as he watched Kyarni exult in the adrenaline-fueled high-speed chase. If only she knew how fast Maras was in the Sea of Grass... She'd be screaming for him to stop. “Come on, Loras, come on...” Crypt whispered to the horse, feeling his muscles contract and relax beneath him. “Let's do this.” Loras responded with another superhuman (Or is it superhorse?) effort, accelerating even more quickly towards Kyarni. The forest they were in wasn't dense, so they were relatively unimpeded. I wonder how uncle Escarvon would react to seeing his daughter for the first time... That'll be a sight to see. He'll be crying and laughing at the same time, the whole pavilion might be celebrating... Damn. I want to be there if it ever happens.

[Kyarni]

Kyarni took a deep breath before glancing behind her, careful to keep her balance in center. She'd never ridden without a saddle before. This was weird for her, but she was very adaptable. Loras and Crypt were gaining on her. She had to get away from them. She would not be caught. Kyarni had a strategy, that she'd seen small woodland animals use to get away from large, lumbering predators. She had to admit, she'd let Loras get a little fat, and the children in Mura had helped. But this tack, she had no idea how to rein with it. Her normal aids would not work without reins or stirrups. She bit at her lip, trying to figure out how to make this work. Then it hit her. She clicked her tongue, pushing the stallion faster, and calmed her breath down. "Left, Maras, left!" she whispered in his ear, and thankfully, the horse understood, bolting left through the trees. Just as it seemed she was headed left, the command was given and the horse pivoted, galloping right. This carried on, the two weaving through the trees with hopes to throw her cousin off big time.

[Crypt]

“Damn!” Crypt cursed. Kyarni and Maras were trying to out-manoeuvre him, and they were succeeding. Loras isn't as fit as Maras. Loras hasn't been traveling and exercising as much as Maras has. He's still fresh. But I have an ace in the hole. Let's see how this plays out before I use it. “Loras, come on...” Crypt muttered, feeling the steed beneath him starting to tire from the exhausting chase he was undergoing. “Just a bit more... Just a bit more...” Crypt leant forward even more, allowing Loras to move even faster, though he lost more control over Loras. Thankfully though, the stallion was able to weave through the trees with ease. But he was losing Kyarni, and it seemed almost too late to catch up to the duo in front. Well, well, well. Time to cheat. A piercing whistle emerged from between Crypt's lips, and Maras pricked up his ears. “Maras. STOP!” The Cyphrus Strider immediately ceased to move in accordance with his chosen's orders, digging his hooves into the forest ground to come to rest. Crypt smirked, and caught up with Maras.

[Kyarni]

Kyarni let out a little whoop of joy as they weaved through the trees, her pale eyes brightening and her lips curling into an unfamiliar smile. The expression was so unfamiliar that her face almost didn't know how to form it anymore. It was almost a sneer. Every season that Ky would spend at home, her horse was treated almost like royalty. He was a favorite among the city children, who loved to run with him and play games. They also liked to feed him sweet grasses and vegetables and candies. Kyarni had had some trouble getting him running once more when they left the city. The little fatty had grown lazy and spoiled, just what she didn't want. But by Summer when she returned to Mura, he'd be fit and thin once more. She was beginning to see victory ahead of her, what with the amount of space between them, and she'd just leaned forward to whisper more commands into the horse's ears when the echo of her cousin's command echoed around them and Maras halted, hooves skidding. She gasped, eyes wide as her body was propelled forward, up and over the horse's head. She scrambled to turn around midair to land on her feet, but the suddeness of the moment had her confused. The Konti girl landed on her back, all the breath leaving her lungs with a loud thunk. She was stunned, unable to move for a moment. But then her brain seemed to remember how to work and breath rushed back into her lungs all at once, a great cough leaving her as she heaved herself onto her side. Kyarni's body shook the slightest bit, her muscles weak and stunned temporarily from the impact. She struggled onto her feet, holding onto Maras for support. She was angry. Yes, so maybe her cousin hadn't expected for that to happen, but she hadn't appreciated it none the less. She put an arm up, yelled a sharp command in Kontinese. Loras came to her obediently and she grabbed at his reins, glaring up at the man on her horse."Off." she hissed, wiping the dirt from her face onto her sleeve.

[Crypt]

The grin faded as Crypt watched Kyarni fly off Maras' back, and it morphed to an expression of pure horror as she landed on her back rather painfully. Damnit! Simple physics! One of the very first lessons I was taught! Do NOT make a horse stop abruptly when it's galloping at a high speed, otherwise the rider will be thrown forwards. I hope she isn't dead, what am I going to say to uncle Escarvon? Oh shit oh shit oh shit - Bugger. Distracted, Crypt did not notice a sturdy tree branch at about chest level approaching him at a high velocity as Loras sprinted towards his downed owner. It collided painfully with his chest, and he was knocked backwards off the saddle onto the ground. All the air in his lungs were forcibly pushed out. And Crypt lay on the ground in a supine position, unable to move or speak.