Solo Training Hooves

[Colt]

11th of fall, 513 a.v

The Amethyst Clan’s district was one of the more open areas of Endrykas, though mostly out of necessity. Horse-breeders needed their space, as their craft was not something easily attempted in the tighter confines of the other districts. It was one of the easiest parts of the city for Shahar to walk through, and he couldn’t help a small twinge of regret that his everyday business did not bring him there more often.

The Gifted Horse Shoe was a bit towards the outskirts of the city of tents, but the hunter was still able to find it without trouble. The three great pavilions towered over the flattened grass, and what other pavilions surrounded it kept a respectful distance. The open space around the three tents was filled with horses and Drykas, by themselves, in groups, riding, training, lounging--it was a haphazard dance, one that Shahar found himself reluctant to venture into. He paused at the edge of the clearing, watching.

A man was working with a mare nearby, a fine-limbed thing with a shimmering red dun coat. As the hunter watched, the mare circled him twice, until he gestured and she promptly switched directions. Another two circles, another gesture, and the mare stopped to bow gracefully. She remained half-down, like a coyote begging for play, and with a third gesture she was up again. The man approached the horse and fed her something as a reward, rubbing her nose affectionately before catching sight of his observer. Shahar tensed as the man’s eyes roamed over him, searching for colors to claim ties to a Clan or even windmarks to claim ties to the Drykas. Shahar made a note to visit Wind Skins before they embarked on the Tsarvik’s journey.

The man walked slowly towards him, mare in tow, and held up his hands in greeting.

“Hail, friend,” the mad said with a catch-all greeting on his fingers.

We are Drykas together, Shahar replied, using the formality to assure the horseman that he was, in fact, Drykas. I need a horse.

“Unsurprising, since you’ve come here,” the man said. “I might be able to help you. This way.”

[Colt]

More at ease with an invitation, but still a bit wary of the crowd, Shahar ventured in after him. The mare snorted curiously at him, and the hunter placed a hand on her shoulder cautiously. She didn’t startle, at least, but she soon lost interest and sped to catch up to Shahar’s guide.

They made their way to the largest of the pavilions, where two men stood in negotiation. They seemed near finished, and it was only a few moments’ wait before the larger one nodded, exchanged coins with the smaller and broke towards Shahar.

“Rothos,” his guide said respectfully. “This man needs a horse.”

The man raised an eyebrow as if he had been told a particularly unfunny joke, but gestured to the guide. “I’ll take it from here,” he said gruffly with a dismissal. The guide nodded and turned back to his mare, and both returned to the open space.

“So,” the Rothos said, “what kind of horse do you seek?”

Strong, the hunter replied. Stable. Trustworthy. A teacher-horse.

The Rothos nodded at each sign. “I think I understand you,” he said. “And I think I have what you need.” He turned to a young woman nearby who appeared to be having a break. “Bring Dainellas here,” he said, earning an annoyed look. “Now.” Catching sight of the customer, she reluctantly sighed and moved off to find whatever it was the Rothos had told her to find.

“Dainellas is a bit older that we usually sell,” the Rothos explained. “Buyers usually want young horses when they come here. She is not the youngest, but she is not old, either. She will be strong for many years more.”

As he spoke the woman returned, leading a smooth-coated dun. The horse seemed mildly curious when she spotted Shahar, but stood obediently when told to do so. She was a bit thick-limbed, but more with muscle than fat; she did not look to be a sprinter, but was solidly-built enough to promise endurance and hardiness. She remained calm when Shahar slid a hand over her neck, though turned a curious eye towards him. He trailed his fingers down one foreleg, and she lifted the hoof for him without any fuss at all. He tried a hind leg, and she did the same.

“She has been well-trained,” the Rothis boasted. “We have had her for eight years now, but she spurns too many advances to be a broodmare. We have used her to teach children to ride, and she is calm, but can sometimes be stubborn. She is smart, and if she thinks she knows best then she will tell you so.”

Shahar nodded and looked into one liquid brown eye. Dainellas seemed, if anything, a bit bored with picking up her feet for no reason beyond having it requested of her, but still showed no signs of irritation or desire to be contrary. An yvas had appeared by Shahar’s feet, and the Rothis nodded in affirmation when Shahar gestured may I?

[Colt]

He placed the pad on the mare’s back. She did nothing to react. He added the yvas, and received a similar reaction. She stood calmly as he strapped the pad in place, but looked at him expectantly when he was finished. Surely he would step up now, since he had spent so much energy preparing?

He took a breath. He had never ridden any horse but Akaidras before; what if he had been doing it wrong this entire time? What if Dainellas couldn’t understand his directions? How could he teach another to ride a horse if he’d been doing it wrong for so long?

The horse in question snorted impatiently, flicking her tail at Shahar to encourage him to hurry up. He gulped, took a deep breath, braced himself against the yvas and leaped onto her back.

Dainellas shifted at the sudden weight, but settled smoothly after a few moments. Shahar squirmed in the not-quite-a-saddle; it was new and unshaped by use, fitting uncomfortably to his legs. He forced himself to stop, however; squirming wouldn’t break the yvas in, and it wouldn’t make riding the creature any easier.

The mare snorted and turned an eye to her rider. Shahar patted her neck awkwardly, then leaned forward and squeezed his legs. He could only hope that it was correct.

To his surprise and great relief, Dainellas surged into a slow trot. Shahar tensed at the sudden movement, causing the Strider to falter, and he forced his breathing to slow and his muscles to relax. She relaxed in turn, and slowed at the release of pressure until there was nothing but a slow walk. He leaned to the side and pressed one leg to her belly, and she turned sharply to face the direction they had come from. He leaned forward again, and she took up another trot. They moved past the Rothos to the corner of the tent, and he turned her around and went back the other way. The trot became less intimidating, to the point that he could turn her without asking her to slow, and it gave him enough confidence to coax her into a lope. Loose and level, the three-beat strides were comfortable beneath him, and this time he took her in a controlled loop around the central tent before returning to the Rothos.

Solid as a Seme and calm as a lake she was, and more than suitable for his needs.

Yes, he signed, I will have this one. What price?

The Rothos considered. “Oh… let’s call it an even hundred-fifty, then another five for the tack. Fifteen if you want a good set of saddlebags to put on her. It is good to see her go with someone after so long.”

Shahar nodded gratitude and turned to the pouch of mizas at his belt. He counted out the money sporadically and gave it to the Rothos in handfuls, unused to trading so many at a time. The horse breeder seemed to sense Shahar’s inexperience, but was confident in the hunter’s funds and waited patiently. Finally the sum was counted out and given to the horseman, who nodded in thanks and gave the horse a small smile.

“She’s a good one, our Dainellas,” he said, giving her a last pat on the neck. “You treat her right, y’hear?”

I will, Shahar promised, turning her towards the open space. A nudge of the heels and she was walking, a tightening of the knees and she was trotting. He leaned forward, and she slid into a canter, taking them both away from the Gifted Horse Shoe and into the thick of the Amethyst Clan.

- End -

[Praetorian]

Shahar

Observation	+1 XP
Horsemanship	+1 XP
Riding: Horse	+3 XP

• They Dance With Horses
• The Need of Windmarks
• The Dun Mare Dainellas
• Horsemanship: Relaxed Rider Means a Relaxed Mount

Loot :

Dainellas, the Dun Mare
-170 GM

Notes :

Well written, as always. Make sure to subtract your purchases from your ledger.

Have any questions, comments, or concerns? Feel free to message me.