Closed A Test of Prowess

[Jackalope]

1 Fall, 512 AV

Jasper had been offered a chance that many would never get. An opportunity to make her way into the Watch. A proud group of Drykas who protect the moving city from threats by reacting quickly to any danger which might affect Endrykas. She had shown her excitement and the opportunity, and told to expect a call at her pavilion for a chance to see if she had what it took to join the ranks of this honored group. Today she would have her shot.

It was early morning, just after sun up when a voice cried out. "Jasper Rainsong, come out here! I need to discuss something with you."

If Jasper complied, standing outside of her tent was a tall woman, coming it at just under six feet tall. Her long black hair was flying freely in the wind, an occasional streak of grey visible. Hardened brown eyes stared down the prospective watch apprentice, a face beaten down by untold experiences was expressionless as she came into view. "Jasper, I assume? I am Ramala Greenwind, a Tahvek in the watch, and I'm here to evaluate you. You have ten chimes. Get your weapons, prepare your mount and any supplies you think you may need. This is going to be a long, trying day. We'll see if you are good enough to learn under me." The woman's voice was clear, precise, with each word being extremely deliberate. She had a no nonsense aura about her, and it was clear she expected Jasper to move quickly.

[Jasper Rainsong]

Groaning Jasper rubbed her face as a loud feminine voice boomed into her tent. Little Pip stirred in his bed of blankets and yawned, showing off his tiny teeth. Sitting up she poked her head out to have a look at who was speaking. After a moment Jasper recognized the woman as a member of the watch. Surprised she hurriedly stood up and pushed past the entry.

The woman standing before her was easily taller than she was, and undoubtedly older. Jasper dipped her head respectively in way of greeting. Listening carefully to what Ramalla had to say Jasper began to make a list of the things she might need in her head. As Ramalla finished she nodded, smiling. "Thank you for the opportunity."

Moving back into her tent she grabbed her Yvas bags, stuffing in some food, her water-skin and her weapon. Tugging on her boots she looked for her belt, and after finding it she put it one, buckling her Tulwar to it. Going out the back exit of her tent she found Maro and secured the bags to his Yvas, leading him around the tent and back to Ramalla, waiting for directions on what to do next.

[Jackalope]

Ramalla waited impatiently for the young Drykas woman to show. Time as valuable a commodity as there was, and she had none of it to waste. If Jasper didn't show any promise or do as she told her, Ramalla would have no problems saying she wasn't cut out for it and sending her on her way. Yet, the prospective Watch member was of the Diamond Clan, and the older woman had to take that into consideration. After all, the Diamond Clan brought forth the best warriors which Endrykas had to offer. Surely this woman would have some skills, otherwise she wouldn't have sought work with The Watch, would she have?

"You're too slow," she commented, a hint of annoyance in her voice. "The Watch must be ready to react at a moments notice. We are the protectors of Endrykas, and if you wish to ride among our ranks, you need be prepared at all times. Is this understood?" Without waiting for an answer, the woman turned on her mount and began to ride away from the pavilion. "There are a few things I wish to test you on. To be my apprentice, I need you to be able to do these things: Ride and fight. It's that simple. If you show promise, I can work with you and help you establish more skills, but if you have the basics, we'll see what we can do." Ramalla looked back to make sure Jasper acknowledged her words, nodding slightly at the young woman.

"So let's not waste any time. Show me how well you can ride. Can you spur your strider to go as fast as it needs to go to survive these dangerous lands? Can you turn him quickly, guide him through, over, under, or around obstacles? Are you truly bonded? Do you understand each other?" The Watch member motioned to the various tents around them, never breaking eye contact with her prospective apprentice. "Ride, Jasper Rainsong. Show me you're worthy to be a guardian of Endrykas."

[Jasper Rainsong]

"I understand." Jasper nodded, following after Ramalla and planing to pack a bag later in order to be ready the next time this, or something like it happened. She listened carefully as Ramalla explained what she would be tested on. Ride and fight. She could do that.

Nodding resolutely, Jasper squeezed Maro's sides with her legs, urging him forward. As she passed Ramalla she leant forward and squeezed again, coaxing him to go faster. Maro's hooves thundered against the ground and his mane whipped around, stinging Jasper's' face.She leant down, keeping her body flat against his, so as to go as fast as possible.

Carefully and diligently she displayed as well as she could each skill Ramalla had mentioned. As they came upon a tight turn she jerked Maro's Yvas to the side, and though he snorted in irritation at the unnecessarily sharp turn he followed her lead willingly, digging his back hooves into the ground and changing direction quickly, leaping back into action once he was facing the right way.

A few moments later they were forced to swerve around a small group of women carrying baskets. One of the women dropped her basket in shock and yelled after them angrily. Looking back over her shoulder Jasper called out an apology, turning around just in time to duck under the clothes line Maro was running under. Shocked, Jasper barely noticed Maro's amused snort as he leapt over a small bench. Realizing how ridiculousness her surprised expression must have look Jasper laughed, rubbing her Striders neck affectionately.

Heart racing and eyes wide with adrenaline Jasper decided to pull Maro to a stop before she lost her head or Maro hurt himself. Taking a deep, calming breath Jasper wrapped her arms around Maro's neck, murmuring happily into his ear. She knew he enjoyed riding like that and she could tell by the angle of his ears that he hadn't wanted to stop.

"Thanks honey." She whispered gently. "I promise i'll take you for a nice long run later." Turning in her Yvas she looked back the way she had come for Ramalla, eager to know if she had done well.

[Jackalope]

Ramalla watched silently as Jasper put on her display. Her control of her strider was amateur at best. "Sloppy," she stated, speaking to no one in particular. Bringing her mount to a trot, the Watch member followed after the hopeful pupil, studying her every move. She nearly took out tents, people, fences. Anything and everything was in a path of near destruction. But it was nearly, not an actual occurrence. She didn't get frustrated by it, she rode onward. It was really the way to go about it, wasn't it? An almost smile spread across her lips as she caught up with Jasper, the expectant look on the girl's face quite amusing to the older woman.

"It might not sound like a compliment, but it is. You're not the worst I've seen. I can work with what you showed me there. You need to think further ahead, not endanger the people we are here to protect. But that will come with time." The woman dismounted, her expression stern as always. "Riding isn't the only part of being a member of the watch. Let us see where your skill at arms stands." Her weapon of choice was the same as Jasper's. The mighty tulwar. Pulling the blade from its place on her back, the Watch member nodded at Jasper, expecting her to do the same. "Attack me, Jasper. Show me what it is you can do. You're of the Diamond Clan, are you not? I half expect you to best me." Ramalla waved her blade infront of her in a slow figure eight pattern, ready to see where the young Drykas woman's talent really lay. "Do not hold back. I want to see what are capable of. If there was a slaver, a Zith, an enemy here. Treat me like an enemy, Jasper." She took a deep breath, a grin spreading across her lips. "Try to kill me."

[Jasper Rainsong]

Jasper smiled slightly at the slight complement, though she was disapointed she had not been able to impress the woman further. She took in the advice and stored it away for later, dismounting from Maro's back. She knew she was a far better swords woman than rider but still she expected she would be nothing but a pesk against to older, more experienced woman. Still, she thought with as much pride and courage as she could muster, I'll do my very best and show her my potential. She drew her Tulwar, rolling her shoulders in an attempt to relax her muscles, tense with nerves.

Deciding to waste no more time with thought Jasper leapt into action, jabbing her Tulwar forward quickly, aiming for Ramalla's torso. She knew that aiming for the head was merely a waste of time this early in the fight, it was a blow better saved for ending a fight rather than starting one, and Jasper severly doubted this fight would have any other ending than one with her on her back in the dust. She tried her best however and attempted to attack as though she were fighting for her life, as if she truly wanted to kill the woman before her.

The muscles in her arm bunched and released as she drew her arm back and jerked it forward in quick succession, she found herself grateful that her earlier ride had gotten her heart racing so thoroughly, or else she might have gotten a cramp, a thought that would prove to be too embarassing to endure.