Closed Horsemanship in Endrykas (Sama'el)

[Jez Firetongue]

Jez Firetongue 11th of Winter, 512 AV ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ The day had begun with a distinct chill in the air, forcing a groan from the young adult who had woken first within the Firetongue pavilion. Since his return only nine days ago he’d been kept busy with his extended family, and on the off chance he was able to get away for a bit other members of the Amethyst Clan would seize the chance to welcome him back and catch him up with recent events. The young man lived for the chance to help others out, but since learning that the pox outbreak was more serious than rumours within the Sea of Grass spoke of he had wanted to walk Endrykas and check on those he knew within other pavilions. He had finally got a chance to do that, his family settled down enough once again to warrant him leaving awhile, but the cold bite to the day was almost enough to put him off. Still, the Drykas was not deterred as he moved between tents, heading towards the centre of the city. Beside him was his ever loyal strider, Wind; a fine stallion of good breeding with a fiery heart. The dun mount would lift his head every now and then, whinnying with a loud snort to make others aware of their presence. The two were perfectly matched, from strength right down to their booming voices. Jez would raise an eyebrow, looking back every now and then as Wind acted particularly spirited. He shook his head with a grin, aware of the effect colder weather had on the feisty stallion. As he walked he raised his hand occasionally, giving a nod to those he recognised and smiling in greeting at those he did not. He had left to further his connection with nature and deepen his bond with Wind. They had travelled the Sea of Grass together, narrowly avoiding glassbeaks on numerous occasions, and Jez had developed a deeper understanding of the balance of nature around him. Caiyha, the main goddess he worshiped, had been another large reason for his disappearance. The longer he spent purely around the natural world the closer he felt he was to her, something that always warmed his heart. Even so, he had missed Endrykas dearly and his spirits lifted as he walked tracks both familiar and not, for though he knew much about the city it was ever changing and he doubted he’d ever learn the true layout. Jez looked over at one of the seme mares as he passed, eyes softening at the sight of the foal beside her. He was proud to be a member of the horse clans, to have the privilege of working with such fine creatures close up. The more time he spent around them the more he fell in love with them. He hoped to one day own a small herd of fine horses and breed them, to bring the joy of being around such marvellous creatures to others in this world. However, he was a long way from that. For now he had to settle with learning what he could when he could. Jez stopped in a small space, away from a couple of tents, and decided to rest. He sat in the grass, legs stretched out in front of him. The shirt he rarely wore was unbuttoned, revealing his well built torso; the only reason he had it on today was the chilly air. A necklace hung around his neck, fang of a long dead hunting dog nestled on his collarbones, and his hands stretched out behind him to hold him up. Wind stood nearby, grazing lightly as he kept an eye on the Drykas. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ||Jez Firetongue|| ||21 years|| ||Drykas|| ||Amethyst Clan|| ||Strider-Wind||

[Sama'el Sunsinger]

The Sunsinger pavilion was where it belonged among the Sapphire Clan's various pavilions, but, like many, its perimeter was more clearly delineated, its territory wider. Endrykas had grown for the pox, not in numbers, for now more people died than were born, but in size, for pavilions wanted a buffer of space between their tents and the tents of others, the better to quarantine themselves. Sama'els pavilion was lucky to have been spared the pox so far, especially with two members in the Watch, and Sama'el's apprentice Mealla staying with them. But they had their own healer, Denen, and their own glypher, Leto, who had many a scroll with more powerful healing abilities than even Denen possessed thanks to his collaboration with Kavala in the Sanctuary of Riverfall.

Sama'el was a young and inexperienced Ankal, but he took the safety of his family quite seriously. He was bundled up against the cold, a mass of leather and wool, more blue than anything else to denote his clan loyalties, but he was also a keen weaver of the great Drykas Web, and so he noticed the tremor of someone knew within the territory they had staked out.

He walked out, and found an Amethyst clansman of about his age sitting in the grass, watching a dun Strider stallion graze. A scarf covered his nose and mouth as if that would save him should the pox seek him out to destroy. But dark, almond-shaped eyes looked out, squinting with a smile that was mostly hidden.

"Ho, stranger," he called as he approached. "What brings you into the pavilions of the Sapphire clan in these woeful days?"

[Jez Firetongue]

Jez Firetongue ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ The young man looked up at the sound of approaching footsteps padding on soft grass, head coming forward and eyelids slipping open to reveal content green eyes. The stranger approaching him was bundled in much cloth, mainly in a variety of blue hues. Light eyebrows shot up in surprise, having not realised he had walked so far. He knew next to nobody within the Sapphire Clan, distinguished by the blue colours the other man was adjourning, not due to any sorts of prejudice but simply chance that he more often came across those from other clans. The stranger seemed friendly, a warm expression on his face as he approached. Jez suddenly realised that he might be intruding. Now that the pox had become more apparent the tents of even pavilions were more spaced out, and he hoped the small clearing he was sat in wasn’t in fact the middle of the other’s family home. However, the next words spoke nothing of that kind, merely an inquiry into his presence in this part of Endrykas. He knew it was probably strange for him to be here, especially in such difficult times, but he’d needed to check up on his friends who lived outside his own clan. “I haven’t particularly got an agenda for being here,” he responded with a volume louder than the average voice, yet evidently his own natural way of speech, “I recently returned from a long trip and after learning about the pox wished to check up on my friends outside my clan.” Wind’s ears had perked up now. He was still slightly grazing nearby, but almost his entire focus was upon his rider, checking to make sure everything was okay. Jez, always trusting before suspicious, had an inviting smile on his face and looked calm. He stayed sat on the floor in invitation for the other to join him. He thought back to the Seme mare and foal he had seen on his journey through Endrykas only a little earlier. “Also, I’m looking for someone to train me in training and breeding horses,” he added, almost as an afterthought. His uncle had helped him on a little and his father added in some input when he had time, but the dealing with the pox and looking after the pavilion was now keeping them both busy and it was time to look for a new teacher. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ||Jez Firetongue|| ||21 years|| ||Drykas|| ||Amethyst Clan|| ||Strider-Wind||

[Sama'el Sunsinger]

Sama'el stopped a ways away from the seated man as these were uncertain times where health was concerned, but he was in all other ways friendly. This one was a Drykas, and so presumably trustworthy. The pox hadn't driven decency from their blood, not yet.

"Be careful with that," he warned. "We're a bit remote from the other pavilions in the hopes none will get sick here. I'll take you at your word that you aren't sick; certainly you look healthy enough. As does your boy over there." He nodded appreciatively at the Strider stallion. But his gaze returned to the man, considering his clothes and his desire. No one color seemed to predominate, but Sama'el would hazard a guess that he was not of the Sapphire Clan just because he didn't recognize him, and not of the Diamond Clan because he wasn't ... well, one could generally tell with them.

"Training and breeding, eh?" he asked, thinking on it. "Well, what's your situation? Do you mean to move out of your pavilion to learn?" The safest bet was likely to travel to the Sanctuary of Riverfall and train with Kavala, but Sama'el could always use a bit more help. But he didn't want to offer that to a complete stranger. Not yet.

"I'm Sama'el Sunsinger, by the bye. Ankal of that motley collection of tents." He pointed in their general direction and walked up closer, crouching before the man and putting out his hand to clasp wrists in Drykas fashion.

[Jez Firetongue]

Jez Firetongue ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ “None of our pavilion seem to have fallen to the pox yet,” Jez responded with a smile, trying to set the other at ease. It only just occurred to him that the other would worry about a stranger bringing the deadly disease to his family. Kai had been coughing a little since he’d been back, but it seemed as though for now she only had a small cold, a natural occurrence that posed no threat so long as she remained inside with plenty of clothes on. Nobody else within their tents was showing symptoms and as far as he could tell their neighbours, though wary and keeping their distance, were also unaffected for now. He listened with interest as the other man continued, mentioning moving out. Jez obviously knew that there were established teaching facilities that would give him an overall education of good quality, yet he also had no desire to go and find one; at least not yet. He was born in the moving city and knew no other way of life. Travelling was a foundation in his being and he couldn’t imagine planning to settle away from Endrykas for any long period of time. Perhaps in the future, to see new cultures, but not at this age. He also had his pavilion to worry about. As the oldest out of his fully related siblings, he felt a sense of duty to look after them during the difficulties of winter. “As much as that might be a good idea, I couldn’t leave my family. As I said, I’ve only just returned after two seasons travelling around Cyphrus. I’m not one to leave my family without my help, especially with the pox as a threat,” he offered a half smile, looking up at the other for understanding, “It’d suite me to find a teacher within Endrykas. I want to breed horses, you see, but obviously I need to learn the relevant information about them before starting.” When the man, having introduced himself as Sama’el Sunsinger, crouched and grasped his wrist, Jez responded appropriately before pulling his hand away. “Jez Firetongue, from the Amethyst Clan,” the young adult answered, impressed that Sama’el was an Ankal. He nodded his head, glancing to said collection of tents, before looking back at the other. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ||Jez Firetongue|| ||21 years|| ||Drykas|| ||Amethyst Clan|| ||Strider-Wind||

[Sama'el Sunsinger]

"Rak'keli's blessings on your pavilion and mine," he said, and meant it. The pox was the truest, most apparent danger facing their people. I thought the tent city should break apart, quarantine themselves from each other so that the sickness could run its course without spreading unduly. But he was just one Ankal, and so he could only separate his own pavilion. "We're lucky. Entire pavilions have fallen to the pox." He sighed.

"Well met, Jez," he said, and glanced over at the collection of tents that needed replacing by one of the large, pavilion-style tents that could house the entirety of his family. "And I understand about not wanting to leave once you've got back." He rubbed his chin. "Your clan's known for the best breeders, but if you don't have anyone in mind to teach you... Well, I'm not an expert yet, but come Spring, I'll be breeding at least one of our ladies. You're welcome to help when the time comes. Also need to continue training the young Seme, so when we have a proper pavilion tent, they'll be able to handle the weight of it.

"I don't know if that's the greatest offer," he said with a self-deprecating smile, "but it's the best I can do. Or direct you to a few Ankals in your own clan who might need help, but we're all trying to keep the pox away..." Which meant Jez might not get a better offer until the plague was clear. Anyway, sometimes it was best to start small.

Sama'el was glancing with a competent eye at Jez's strider, wondering if he might be a better stud for Ronan's Tairell, and they could make some deal over the stud fee and Jez's training.

[Jez Firetongue]

Jez Firetongue ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ “Blessings to you as well, my friend, in this hard time,” Jez dipped his head a little. He knew well enough that they were in need of all the help they could get, and the gods and goddesses whom many of them served passionately wouldn’t be too harsh to long as they kept their religions alive. Jez’s brow fell in worry at the news, for he had heard that many pavilions were suffering harshly, but hadn’t yet realised that they’d lost entire families to the pox. Even if Endrykas managed to survive this, there would be a lot of work to rebuild the thriving community it once was. “Perhaps I should suggest to my father we do the same as your pavilion,” he thought out loud, now concerned about his relatives, “We’re fairly social, so he wouldn’t like the idea, but there’s not going to be much socialising if we’ve all succumbed to the pox.” He grinned a little, thinking about their stubborn Ankal who beneath the hard exterior really just wanted the best for his slightly peculiar children. The young man’s spirits were immediately brightened when Sama’el offered him the opportunity to aid in both breeding a mare and training the young Seme. He hadn’t been expecting to find a tutor when he left the pavilion, what with everyone so busy handling the endemic that had struck the city, so knew better than to decline the offer. “If I could help you, that would really be great,” his voice was enthusiastic, eyes cheerful alongside his huge smile, “I doubt there’s much chance of another offer coming along. Anyway, yours sounds perfect for where I wanted to start.” Jez needed both training and money in order to start breeding horses. With the offer for training given by Sama’el, it was only a matter of finding money now. If it came to the worst he could probably find a tiresome, physical task working odd jobs for pavilions that needed things shifting. However, now that his knowledge on breeding horses looked to be increasing, the idea he and his younger sister had been forming for some time now seemed to be looking more likely. Kai had been the one to suggest it, a few years ago shortly after Jez had bonded to his stallion. Her strider mare, Papus, had almost as fiery a spirit as Wind, and together they could produce fine foals which they could then sell to earn some good money. At first it had been a child’s dream, something they would go over in the middle of the night in excited, hushed voices, but recently it had become more of a realistic vision for the future. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ||Jez Firetongue|| ||21 years|| ||Drykas|| ||Amethyst Clan|| ||Strider-Wind||

[Sama'el Sunsinger]

"It might be wise for the Firetongue pavilion to put a little space between itself and the other pavilions," he said diffidently, not wanting to tell another Ankal what to do, even by way of his son. It wasn't proper, but they were all in this together, no matter what clan, no matter who was Ankal.

He nodded thoughtfully.

"I'm going to take you at your word that you will do your best to remain healthy, avoiding the ill. I just can't risk my family. But, hey... we have to take some chances or we will not be able to collaborate, and that isn't the Drykas way either. Anyway, I'd like to get our breeding done as early as possible, but we will just have to see who goes into heat in the Spring. If we do get ours done early, you could find someone else doing it later and keep learning, and come and learn how to check the pregnant mares' health, and then when they're ready to throw their foals, well. You should watch, but not attempt to help with a birthing unless you are rather skilled. But observing is the best way to learn.

"Would you like to meet the Seme?"

[Jez Firetongue]

Jez Firetongue ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Jez spoke no more on the pavilion spacing topic, yet he nodded in agreement with Sama’el. It truly would be the wisest thing to do, given that the pox once in a pavilion could easily wipe the entire family out. Especially, he knew, if the family was as close to each other as theirs was. Perhaps Rosanna and Jaiyana would be okay, as they kept themselves to themselves, but joking aside he knew better than to leave it until it was too late to talk to his father. Sure, he and the Ankal may not get on a lot of the time and they weren’t the closest family members, but Jez would risk upsetting the older man in exchange for his relatives’ safety. “Yes,” he agreed, “It would certainly be a shame if we distanced ourselves from one another. After all, the community is what makes our marvellous city so unique. Without cooperation there would be no Endrykas.” Jez listened as the topic changed to the breeding. Though not a more important topic, it did spike his interest much more. Yes, he wanted to make sure his family were safe and well, but there was no point to that if those of his age didn’t start providing an income. Plus, his interests lay with horses above all other things. It really was a good thing that he was born a Drykas. “That’s much more than I could have hoped for,” he grinned, “Thank you so much. Of course, now you know where to find me just send word when the mares are ready, and I’ll help as much as I can so long as my inexperience doesn’t risk their health.” Would you like to meet the Seme? Jez’s day was certainly turning out to be a good one. He loved striders above all other species, finding the bonds his race made with them simply fascinating, yet not all races were lucky enough to have that connection and yet were still in need of horses. They were the ones he aimed to help; he desired to introduce using horses to those who thought they could live without one, and make them realise how marvellous the creatures really were. The joy he felt when he rode as one with Wind was something he wanted to spread to others in their world. Semes were a good breed to start with, in his opinion, as their sturdiness made them useful for a lot of jobs, yet they were still a good breed to work with. “That’d be great,” he replied with a nod, excitement building up after his first session learning something more than the usual daily routine of looking after horses. He hoped that training would also improve the strength of his own strider, and that he’d understand the stallion better. “Come on Wind,” he called, clucking his tongue to get the horse’s attention. His mount raised his head from grazing, giving at snort at the interruption, and trotted to Jez’s side. The Drykas rose also, waiting for Sama’el to lead the way. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ||Jez Firetongue|| ||21 years|| ||Drykas|| ||Amethyst Clan|| ||Strider-Wind||

[Sama'el Sunsinger]

Sama'el smiled and stood up so Jez could too, watching how Wind responded and his walking gait. That done, he led them over toward where his modest herd of horses were grazing on the meager winter grasses. Some of the Striders were absent, meaning not everyone was there, but Dohaina, the golden mare, glanced askance at Wind more than at Jez. But as they were accompanied by Sama'el, she didn't make a scene.

"The watchful one is Dohaina, my bonded. The two foals are hers." Yes, two live foals at once. Dohaina was a miracle in many ways, but those were other stories for other times. The colt was a red dunskin, and the filly was quite a pale gold; they weren't sure where her color was going to end up yet.

He whistled and the two Seme, recognizing their particular melodic key, trotted over to see what he wanted. They were fairly well trained already, clearly, but pulling a true pavilion would test their strength. They weren't quite full grown yet.

"They're good-natured," he averred. "I need to figure out how large a pavilion to purchase, and then I'll know whether we can break it down to fit them or if we'll need a proper cart."