[Windmount] Flesh, carved from the wind.(Oriah)

by **Marrick Corvis** on March 6th, 2014, 1:50 am

Marrick knew he’d asked too much by requesting the liberty to ride out. Yet as he stood there atop the great beast he felt as if he almost understood the mare’s need. She wanted to feel the wind on her face as she ran. A feeling the Kelvic knew well and understood. As the knight agreed to his request he saw Oriah’s face fall. He could almost see the defeat on her features as she mumbled consent to him, and the guilt in his heart stabbed deep.

He couldn’t hide the look of concern on his face, though he wanted to give her some assurances. Yet he had nothing but words he hoped might lift the burden from her heart. “Aye, I’d be a fool teh leave behind sech a lovely lady.” He said to Ulliver, his eyes fixed on Oriah. “Though yeh have it all wrong Ser Windmount.” He said as his eyes locked with Oriah’s.

The Knight raised his eyebrows in curiosity, his smile growing. The squire’s tone held an intriguing edge to it that begged for silence.

“Oriah there is Syna in human form, can’t yeh see her radiance or feel her warmth from where yah stand. She’s roight next to yeh man!” He said with a grin as Kiter shifted her weight. “The only sunset I’d be roidin inta would be the one she makes.” The Kelvic said with an impish grin.

The Knights jaw dropped only momentarily before he began to shout with laughter. When at last his mirth began to quell he made his way to the gate, giving the pair of companions a moment of privacy.

“Fergive me if Oi was a bit forward Oriah.” He said with a smile. “Oi won’t leave yer soight.” The Kelvic’s words rang with a genuine confident honesty which he reinforced with a nod. Then with a deep breath he shouted. “Let go Koiter!” To which the mighty steed responded to with a measured zeal, trotting from the riding circle and out into the open ground of the Windmount.

The Kelvic could tell that the Mare was in her element at last. An open area to run, even with another creature upon her back, must have felt a paradise to the great horse. Marrick rode across a wide field in sight of the riding ring, a bounce in his knees. He balanced his weight and movement hard against the horse’s power. With the confidence of a swaggering drunk he tried to slow Kiter with a gentle pull of the reins and a firm “Woah Koiter,” which the horse seemed to disappointedly obey.

As she slowed to a halt, the Squire looked out at the wide open spaces of the windmount. He could see the walls and battlements, the fences, and field stone walls. With a gracious hand he patted the mares shoulder. “We’re goin to roide far yet m’dear. But naught today.” He said softly to the great beast.

Kiter simply shifted her weight back and forth obviously anxious to ride, but nickered softly in response to the soothing nature of Marrick’s voice. The with another gentle stroke of the mares neck and a encouraging pull of her reins he turned Kiter back toward the stables, and gentle squeezed her sides till she rode at a canter.

Like a ship returning to harbour Marrick bounced against the choppy movement of Kiters gait, as the pair glided to a halt before the Ser Windmount and Oriah. “Woah thar, Koiter.” He said as she drew to a halt. “Oi’m naught accustom teh roidin. Oi thenk.” He said with a smile as he patted Kiters withers.

“Its hard work roidin.” The Kelvic said as he rubbed the meatiest part of his flank. “Oi thenk it’ll take toime eh?”

“Aye Squire it will.” Ulliver Windmount said with a nod. “You’ll get used to it. You already looked like you were ready to ride off by the way you looked on.” He said holding Kiters reins in his hands.

“And leave Lady Azari alone with you?” Marrick said with a dark chuckle. “Honorable as yeh are Ser Windmount, only a fool would leave a lady as lovely as Oriah alone with another man.” The Kelvic exchanged a nervous glance with his companion just before he dismounted and took the reins from the Knight.

by **Oriah** on March 8th, 2014, 7:04 pm

She was just going to have to get used to the burning heat on her face, because it didn't seem like the squire was about to run out of ways to put it there.

And, if given the option, Oriah wouldn't put a stop to it, either.

One of these days, she mused, you're going to create such glorious poetry that Syna herself will have to come and see what the fuss is all about. Then we'll be in deep, deep, flesh melting trouble. But, the girl kept her thoughts to herself. Partly because Ser Ulliver was roaring with laughter, and partly because her tongue had tied itself in a knot long before such thoughts crossed her mind.

The squire then asked for her forgiveness, which only made her more flustered and confused. He was aware of what he was saying. Enough to recognize the effects it might have, and to apologize for it. But that didn't stop him from speaking his mind, nor did it lessen the singularity with which he focused his pale gaze upon hers. And when he did, she began to feel the rest of the world melt away again.

What did this mean? Why was he saying such things?

Then, with a nod and smile, he was gone. Reality snapped back into focus as rider and warhorse trotted some ways off, across a wide field but always within sight, as promised. The dancer watched with a hint of unease at first. But her worries lessened the farther they rode; it was clear Kiter was a steadfast beast, and Marrick had no intention of biting off more than he could chew. By the time they returned, both Oriah and Ser Ulliver were smiling at the squire's progress. It wasn't so bad, the girl decided, watching someone else ride. She was far from willing to be in the saddle herself, but it was a start.

"Well done," she congratulated, stroking the front of Kiter's nose. The horse was barely winded and stood under her ministrations with gentle patience.

The Benshira hadn't been paying close attention to the words being exchanged between knight and squire, until she heard her name and the ensuing claims that followed. Struggling to conjure up some form of a response, Oriah caught his nervous glance as Marrick dismounted and landed on his feet beside her. She could hear the quickened pace of his breath, feel the heat of exertion from his recent ride.

"Now, now," Ser Ulliver chuckled, "I don't know what you're insinuating, but I completely, utterly agree. So, how do you feel, squire? Think you and Kiter could ride off into battle one of these days?"

Oriah rolled her eyes, knowing full well the knight chose his words with jestful care. "I think you two make a fine pair," she admitted with a grin. "And that this stalwart Tiaden will take good care of her little human squire. Isn't that right, Kiter?"

Kiter snorted softly, as if in amused agreement.

by **Marrick Corvis** on March 11th, 2014, 6:29 pm

Marrick felt distracted with the exhilaration of the moment. It was as if he were the first Kelvic to ever ride a horse, which was laughable. Yet it was likely that for every new rider they experienced something similar.

When the Knight smiled at his teasing and agreed with his jest the Kelvic realized that he may have overstepped his bounds. “Jesting as moy wards are Ser Windmount. OI realoize that they were roguish in their manner. Please accept moy apology Ser Knoight. Your reputation is beyond reproach.” He said with a slight bow of his head. “And Oi appreciate yer grace and good manners Ser.” The squire said giving Kiter a single stroke of her neck.

He smiled as Ser Ulliver suggested that Kiter be his war steed which made the Kelvic happy beyond measure. Though something inside him made him feel that the Mare would be better off as Oriah’s mount. Such a fine beast deserved a kind and patient rider. Thinking of her, he stole a glance her way and watched with amusement as she rolled her eyes. Her diminutive teasing left him with a hint of a smile.

“Little?” He repeated with a playful display of being wounded by her words. As the horse snorted softly the Kelvic felt the slightest bit overrun. “Surrounded on all soides Eh! Lucky fer me, yeh are all friends.” He said with a little smirk. His cheeks turning a soft russet. “Aye Ser Windmount. She’s the one fer me.” He said, though he wasn’t looking at Kiter, instead he found himself watching Oriah again. He watched her smile and heard her chuckle. Then as he always did when he realized he watched her for too long he lowered his gaze and tried to focus on his tasks.

“Right then. Koiter is Tiaden Mare, second Generation foundling. She’s a rare horse as most Tiaden should be seen as, But she is going to a good home. I was thinking three hundred and thirty Mizas, but she’s going home with what I know will become a fine knight.” He said with a little smile. “Lets make it an even three hundred?”

Marrick smiled, and considered the Knights words a moment. “How about Oi pay ye three hundred n’ twenty seven gold Mizas, one silver, and foive copper, n’ ye give me tha tack and other kit fer free?” The squire haggled boldly.

Ulliver chuckled at the squire and nodded in what seemed a thoughtful manner. “Add another five gold onto that for the lesson and that sounds fair Squire.” He said a broad grin lighting his face.

The Kelvic returned the friendly smile and unsnapped his hip pouch, searching for the large bag of Mizas resting within. “Tis a good theng Oi’m part o’ the order. Oi’m about teh be a pauper.” He said as he found a convenient bench nearby to count out the Mizas he owed. As the gold silver and copper rimmed circles spilled out the Kelvic was caught momentarily by how shiny they all were as their light cast reflections about. Like a lover about to part company he ran his fingers gently along a couple of their rims before he began to methodically count out his dues.

As the last of it was counted out he slid them into the old bit of leather and string, and put the remnants of his meager fortune back in his hip pouch. As he stood he handed Ser Windmount the satchel of money, a curious expression on his face. “Oi thank ye fer the privilege Ser. T’was good teh meet a member o’ the Dyres family.” Inside his head he felt all manner of nausea associated with the purchase of a creature as smart and beautiful as Kiter, but he tried vainly to cling to the belief that he was buying a privilege and not the beast. If he had no more need for her, he would likely turn her loose, or find one that could speak to her and learn of her desires. If a horse had such things weighing upon their minds.

“And I you, Squire Corvis.” Ulliver said grasping the Kelvics hand in a firm handshake. “I’m glad to see one as yourself joining the Order. You and your friend here are rare folk in these dark times.” The Knight said as he leaned in closely and spoke in a low tone. “Take care of her Squire. Keep her safe.”

Marrick caught the dual meaning in the knight’s words and a subtle redness took to his cheeks. “Oi Will Ser.” He mumbled back with a nod, and a glance to Oriah.

Then with an honorable bow and a kind nod, the Knight handed the Squire the Reins and went on about his duties, leaving the Squire and his friend alone with his new travelling companion.

The Squire stood a moment overwhelmed with the gravity of what he had just done. The feeling left him a little sick, but he could tell he was alright. At the gentle concerned nudging of Kiter, the Kelvic gave the mare a tender pat to her neck in reassurance. Yet his pale blue eyes rested calmly and cooly on Oriah’s frame, as a soft sigh escaped his nostrils casting a wispy smoke of his breath into the air.

Like a fish out of water he gasped at the air in one large gust only to see the look on Oriahs face as he found himself silenced again by her beauty. A gentle breeze teased at her hair and gave the squires cloak a playful luff like a sail caught in the wind. His heart ached to reach out, yet all he could manage was gaze at her with an intense longing.

“Oi feel lost fer wards, Lady Azari.” The Kelvic said humbly, at last finding his tongue. “Yeh found me as if in a dream, n’ Oi catch mehself wondrin what deity Oi must o’ pleased teh have yer company.” He said sweetly. Then, a little smile formed at the corners of his mouth only to grow to a mischievous grin. “Or perhaps yeh displeased one n’ they cursed yeh with moy presence.” He chuckled softly, watching her reaction.

“Oi am certain though.” His words fell from his mouth, softly, and sincerely. “That Oi am more grateful fer yer company roight now than yeh even know.” The Kelvic professed as he gently clasped her hand. It felt unusually cool compared to his, which struck Marrick as odd. “It means the warld teh me that yeh came.” He whispered with a sigh as his eyebrows pinched in genuine frankness. In the moment he was about to let her hand fall, a strange nerve filled him.

Slow as a snail crawling, he lifted her hand to his nose as he simultaneously bowed his head. With his bravery almost used up, he shut his eyes and kissed the soft flesh between the two largest knuckles of her hand.

by **Oriah** on March 14th, 2014, 8:35 am

Kiter's reaction incited a surprised laugh from the Benshira who, in that moment, had the strange notion she could sit and talk to the mare all morning. From avoiding the beasts at all costs to considering one of them pleasurable company in the span of less than a day...well, if that wasn't progress, she wasn't sure what was.

Something tickled her awareness and she looked up at the squire, only to find that he had glanced down at that exact moment. Then Ser Ulliver swept in with talk of business, the staggering price for the Tiaden alone enough to leave her jaw hanging open, and thoughts of lingering gazes dissipated. "Syna take me," she murmured to herself and gave Kiter a meaningful look. "A horse worth more than water, you are. Or did you already know that, Bright One?"

Kiter turned enough so that one round, doughy eye was level with that of Oriah's. The girl saw a glimmer of an answer before the mare lowered her forehead and nudged at a sleeved arm. Sighing fondly, human acquiesced to Tiaden and resumed her gentle strokes as the men sorted out their fiscal affairs.

Once business was taken care of, Ser Ulliver took Marrick's hand in a hearty shake, then leaned in and whispered something to the squire. Both girl and horse perked their ears, leaning forward just a little to try and catch what they were clearly not privy to. But the moment passed too soon. Before Oriah could do much more than nod her head in mutual respect and hold up a hand to wave goodbye, the knight had bowed and left to attend other duties.

"A new horse for a new squire. How fitting," she smiled, giving Kiter a pat on the shoulder before turning to Marrick.

Her cheer wavered, however, at the look on the squire's face. Something was...odd about his expression. Oriah panicked for a tick. Had she said something wrong? Was it another reminder of his dark past? She stared at him as he stared at her for what felt like centuries, heart racing, thoughts stumbling over one another as she struggled to pinpoint her mistake.

Then he spoke, and realization hit the Benshira like a fifty ton sandbag how terribly off she had been.

The squire was...grateful. Oriah floundered in her efforts to absorb the frankness with which Marrick spoke. He was thanking her, for her company. No one had ever thanked her for such a simple thing. If anything, she had half expected some form of mild exasperation on his part, given that she had doggedly followed him out of The Swan, insisting every few chimes he ought to be resting and not trying to jump on the backs of sharp hoofed, skittish beasts that liked to piss on your boots when you least expected it.

It was unusual, to say the least, for her to act so impishly. Even the Benshira herself had grown tired of her own cynicism, especially after having met a lovely a horse as Kiter. But old pains and old memories were hard to shed. And, yet, even still...

Marrick's hands found her own and all other thoughts evaporated from her mind, as quick as fresh tears on burning sand. They were warm and spoke of someone used to hardship, but not lost enough in it to forget simple acts of good within humanity. She wanted to say as much, but words failed her as the squire held her hand up to his lips for a second time that morning and placed a slow, soft kiss upon her skin.

Oriah felt her spine tingle pleasantly and her heart double in pace. She watched his careful movements with no awareness to spare for the rest of the world around them. Such full lashes, she noted. The kind that women always envied of men and cast delicate shadows across skin as pale as Leth.

Without thinking, the girl raised her free hand to brush it lightly against the side of Marrick's ear, seeking to feel the texture of his raven black hair. Her fingers caught a few locks, feather soft just like his avian namesake. Oriah's breathing slowed as his face came into crystal clear focus. They were close enough now that, if she just leaned in a little more, perhaps...

Slurrrrp. Her vision was suddenly filled with nothing but horse neck and mane as Kiter butted in between them and gave Marrick a good, hearty lick. The dancer gaped with shock. She'd never known what a horses's tongue looked like, up close and personal, until that moment.

Kiter seemed not to mind the strange taste of human, as she was nudging the squire now insistently. Oats, oats, more oats! Oriah imagined the mare chanting.

Then she doubled over and laughed until she could no longer breathe.

by **Marrick Corvis** on March 18th, 2014, 8:36 pm

The touch of her cool flesh against his warm lips brought him a pleasant euphoria. Not unlike drinking mountain spring water on a hot day.

As the Squire lifted his head to gaze into Oriah’s eyes once more, he found himself surprised by how close she had drawn. Yet he felt safe. How was it possible that this woman made him feel so safe? What was it in her gaze, in her touch that made the doubt in his heart quell?

His heart began to ache with the effort of its erratic beating. He felt its struggle against his chest, and the swift pitter patter of its tattoo. Only when he was a bird had his heart ever been so quick.

Absentmindedly his lips parted as he inhaled a shallow breath, when her hand lifted to graze his ear and stroke its way through his charcoal black locks. With all the will he could muster he stifled a shiver of tense pleasure, with the shutting of his pale blue eyes.

Marrick could hear her as Oriah’s breath slowed, and he felt himself sinking. His desperate willingness balanced against his fear of something different, and filled him with anticipation.

The surprise that only what a blind man might describe as a hot wet herring hitting his face caused him to recoil and open his eyes to see Kiter’s massive tongue assaulting him for attention and treats. “Oy!” he sputtered in between giddy laughter. “Easy their Koiter, easy Lass.” He said as the horse nickered loudly at him, and shifted her great weight.

The squire tried to soothingly stroke her neck to staunch the energy the monstrous beast seemed to possess. Careful not to drop her reins he attached his pack and other gear to her saddle tack, and produced another handful of oats. “Eh now, ask poloitly from now on with jest a nudge, eh Lass?” Marrick said softly into the horse’s side. As he produced the oats and laced up the bag, the great horse swung her long neck around to watch him.

Marricks smile waned to a pleasant twisting of the lips as the great horse lipped the oats from his hand and enjoyed the lavish attention that he gave her. Though his gaze would return to Oriah again, and his smile would grow till it touched his eyes, making little crow’s feet stand out at the corners. Her laughter was infectious, and he loved the sound. Such mirth made all the troubles that clouded his mind fall away as if they did not exist anymore.

Then his mind began to chew like a cow on her cud, as it always did. What almost happened? Was it just a misunderstanding or was there something behind the Dancers leaning? Whatever it was the Kelvic tried to push the doubt and worry from his mind and simply tried to appreciate it as a moment that could have been something beautiful.

He watched her again, a little smile tugging at his lips, and his cool gaze piercing her shape. If time had allowed it, he likely would have watched her all day with the intensity of an artist on their subject. Yet there were still preparations to be made, and goals to accomplish.

With an almost sorrowful tilt of his head he turned his eyes from her and to the saddle on the great horses back. With a deep breath the squire slipped his boot into the stirrup and lifted himself into the leather seat. After a little adjusting he held Kiter tightly to make sure she would not go anywhere. “Easy there Lass. Easy Koiter.” He said with a reassuring pat to her withers.

“Well, Oriah M’dear?” He said with a glint of fire in his eyes. “Their’s room fer yeh up here.”

The Squire slid toward the back of the saddle leaving Oriah, who was a bit smaller than him, a space at his front where he could hold her in case she fell, or slid from the saddle. The look on her face was hard to read, but the Kelvic was determined to give her this experience, and make it a positive one. If somehow, some way they were to be together one day she would need to learn to trust horses again. “Moy arms will hold yeh toighter than-“ The word he almost said was ‘shackles,’ but he shoved the distasteful word out of his mind with a vengeful force and searched for something better. “a corset.” He finished gracefully.

Casual as a courtier offering a lady his hand to help her into a carriage he extended her a gloved upward palm. He could see the hesitance in her eyes, and the Kelvic entreated just a little more. “Oi promise Oi’ll get yeh home safely, M’lady. Naught more than a walk, lessen yeh want teh go faster.” The squire’s smile was slight, but genuine as he spoke.

by **Oriah** on March 20th, 2014, 10:05 am

She was still rubbing at her eyes with the backs of her hands when Marrick placed one foot in a stirrup and lifted himself onto Kiter's saddle once more. It had been a long time since she'd laughed that hard and her face was awash with the slick traces of uncontrolled mirth. His return to such lofty heights, however, brought back a certain level of sobriety. And not so much because the squire was riding again--Oriah was actually quite happy to see him and the mare work so well together---but because, now, the invitation had been extended.

To her.

The dancer resisted gulping. Loudly. She looked into Kiter's dark eyes, which fair glittered with what she was suspecting to be amusement, then gazed up at the squire as her emotions warred with one another. On the one hand, it was downright terrifying. Even after all these years it was impossible to shake that grip of indescribable dread and panic at the idea of getting on as large and daunting of a beast as a horse. And a Tiaden warhorse, at that.

On the other hand, she wanted so very much to accept his offer. To appear brave, calm, and collected. To jump into that saddle without qualms. To not be afraid anymore. To know, bizarre as it sounded, what it felt like to be held as tight as a corset, by arms she found herself increasingly curious about.

And, most urgently of all, to not keep the handsome squire above her waiting any longer than she already had. Oriah had never been the indecisive type--a dulled pang accompanying memories of Priah--and she wasn't planning on starting now.

As she neared a decision, Marrick spoke gentle words of reassurance and extended his hand. She looked between it, Kiter, and his genuine expression a couple more times before steeling her resolve and returning his smile with one of her own. "I have your word then, Squire Corvis," she grinned and accepted his hand.

Oriah bit back a gasp of surprise as she was pulled bodily upwards onto the saddle. He was much stronger than she had anticipated, even with his newly healed wounds. And it was more than a little disorienting to be so high up. Didn't help either that Kiter's bulk shifted from time to time beneath them. Fortunately, the dancer was wearing very practical clothing--a set of Rami trousers and tunic, unrestrictive and comfortable. She managed to swing one leg over and sit face forward atop the mare, having not done so in over a decade, and clutched the front of the saddle with a deathlike vise.

Don't panic, don't panic, don't panic...

Distracted by the battle against her own nerves, it took a moment for Oriah to remember where exactly she was sitting. Or, to be more precise, whom she was sitting in front of. Snugly, and close enough to feel the broadness of his chest and the warmth of his limbs as they enveloped her to grip the reins.

Fear and exhilaration warred with one another for all of two ticks before the latter won out as Kiter began to walk. Little by little, Oriah loosed her grip on the saddle as she grew more accustomed to the mare's easy pace. It was still a rather foreign and unsettling motion to experience, but admittedly the girl was more concerned with other matters.

"This is not so bad," she confessed after a few chimes, throwing back a surprised smile at the squire.

Then she turned to face forward once more.

Just in time to see a frenzied chicken racing to the middle of the street.

Kiter saw the clucking, avian fugitive--and its furious caretaker chasing after it. Frozen on the saddle, Oriah could see the mare register the approaching disturbance. It was coming, she was sure of it. The inevitable buck. The pain that would follow. Any moment now she was going to be thrown clear off to land face first in the dirt. "Mother's mercy," she uttered for the first time in a long time and covered her face, unable to bear witnessing the incoming collision.

by **Marrick Corvis** on March 29th, 2014, 3:32 am

A cool breeze caressed the squire’s cheek and in its soft touch he could smell a hint of the Benshira’s scent. It was unlike anything he had smelled before and he inhaled deeply if only to remember her better. Her odious melody was almost like the tent of wood burned at the new years with wild flowers laid across the logs.

As she accepted his hand he grinned and grasped it tightly to lift her up. A step on the tip of his boot in the stirrup and she had found her way into the seat of the saddle in front of him. The saddle became unusually cramped and the Kelvic found himself edging as far back on the saddle as he dared without falling off. Yet, there was not space enough for him to avoid the little wiggling she made as she got comfortable.

Every sense the Kelvic possessed was filled with her. Her smell became more pronounced, and the unmistakable scent of wild sage sparked the memory of his mind. Her hair brushed against the stubble of his chin. Each strand tickled his neck, while his chin whiskers dared to capture a strand or two in their greedy grasps.

Her body wiggled against his as she sought a comfortable place to sit, and the Kelvic felt so impossibly overwhelmed with Oriah he shut his eyes and gave in to his animal side. He slipped his arm around her belly and as stealthy as he dared smelled deeply of her sandy locks. The resulting patter of his heart made him feel as if he were going to leap out of his skin, and he squeezed her tightly, in a strange compulsion.

With every ounce of his will he loosened the coiled rope that was his arm, and quenched the fires of his fantasies with a focus on the reality he had been pondering since he had first met the beautiful Benshira. “Oi apologize if’n t’was a wee toight.” He said with a sigh of longing. “To be honest, Oi’ve never worn a corset, but I imagine they tend teh be toighter.”

Then to the Kelvics surprise she leaned against his chest, and his heart began its wild tattoo anew. His wild heart beat forced him to breathe deeply through his nose again and her scent filled his senses. Like a fox before the hounds it seemed there was no escape. His heart a flutter, he cleared his throat and gave Tiadens sides a gentle squeeze. “Lets go Koiter.”

The mighty warhorse nickered softly and broke into a slow plodding walk. Her even gate wasn’t the smoothest, but Marrick could feel the why of every movement in her hooves. A dip in the road, or sudden quickness to avoid a stone, the horse knew where she was going. All she wanted was direction.

As Kiter made her way along the long road to the gates of the Windmount his mind began to dwell again on Oriah. She was so close to him now and he had nowhere to go, no distraction. Yet somewhere in the depth of his soul a piece of him wanted to disregard his good sense and love this woman. It whispered to him of hours spent in blissful silence, holding her like a treasure in his arms. It told him of bright days of sunlight and laughter.

The comment and smile that Oriah gave him over her shoulder was probably the only thing that would have drawn him out of his visit to fantasy island. Though, somewhere in the back of his mind he entertained another trip. As his gaze focussed on her smile, he was disappointed when she turned to face forward.

As his gaze followed hers, he barely glimpsed the farmer chasing a hen into the road. Marrick reacted as any Riding beginner might, when confronted with a potential situation. Like a monk at a temple bell he tugged hard on Kiters reins and shouted “Whoa Koiter!”

The mare’s reaction to Marricks rude pull of her bit, made her rear back in fear and frustration. Her loud whinny sent both the chicken and her pursuer fleeing before the great mares flailing hoofs. It was almost all the Squire could do to simply hold on to the reins. Yet he would not dare letting go of Oriah. He squeezed her tightly to his chest as the large war horse reared up. His footing in the stirrups felt sure enough, even though the sudden lurch nearly threw him.

The squire held fast as he and Oriah fell with Kiters descent. The loud thump as the Mares hooves met with the packed dirt of the road seemed like the pounding of a drum in his chest, and the squire eased off on the how tightly he held the reins.

The Mare shifted her weight from side to side as Marrick tried to keep Oriah in his arms, while consoling the animal in as gentle a voice as possible. “Easy Koiter, easy Lass. Yer alroight. Easy Girl.”

Kiter’s nervous nickering answered the squires soothing voice. “Calm yerself lass, t’is alroight.” The mare’s shifting weight subsided a bit at a time like a child who was getting over a tantrum. “Oi’m sorry Oi pulled so hard lass.”

The Tiaden snorted loudly at him in what seemed a frustrated acceptance of his apology, and shifted her weight one more time.

With the danger over Marrick loosened the vice like grip his arm had created around Oriah’s belly. “Oi hope Oi havn’t squeezed all the laughter n’ smoiles out o’ ye Oriah. Are yeh alroight… M’lady.” The squire said, his voice strained with concern. Half of him was worried that he’d somehow mangled his beautiful companion, the other was filled with the overwhelming anxiety that he had nearly called her ‘love’.

by **Oriah** on April 5th, 2014, 11:34 pm

Blue.

The single thought overwhelmed all others as her hands fell back and exposed her face to the morning sky. It was close to noon now and Syna's rays were much warmer than when they had first set out for the stables. Almost as warm as the combination of wild heartbeats, shortened breaths, and contracting muscles now enveloping her in a storm of sensations.

And she was the eye. A lump of stillness as all else swirled around her in sentient, instinctive protection. Held as tight and steadfast as she was, the dancer realized, in spite of the clouds of dust and feathers rising in plumes all around them, accompanied by sounds of alarm both human and equestrian, that she was safe. That, perhaps, this was the safest she had ever felt in a long, long time. And once she realized this, Oriah felt a strange but increasingly familiar sensation start to grow in her chest, like a resilient seed taking root that had long since been given up for dead.

A steady stream of soothing words trickled past her ears, and though the Benshira knew they were meant for the mare and not her, they transferred their intended effects nonetheless. She sank back with half-closed lids, feeling rather blissful against all rhyme and reason.

Her dreamlike moment ended, however, when puffs of dust traveled up her nose and mouth--in addition to the sudden loosening of her temporary girdle--and caused the girl a couple violent coughs. Distracted, it took several ticks for Oriah to realize the squire was now addressing her and not his new Tiaden companion. Heat rose to her face for the dozenth time that day as she straightened a little, shocked at how far she had taken her liberties in such a tenuous situation.

"Yes!" the dancer answered with a slight wheeze, a little more eagerly than she intended. "That is...I am okay. How about you? And Kiter?"

Oriah had the sudden urge to lean forward and pat the mare on her muscled neck, but quickly changed her mind upon remembering why she was so comfortable. It occurred to her that it was probably a selfish act. But, for once, the Benshira could care less. Kiter had the rest of Winter--and perhaps her entire life--to spend with Marrick. Oriah, however, did not. So to the sands with virtue.

Later, when she looked back on all that had transpired on that day, the dncer couldn't help but wonder in awe how or why she had stayed on that horse. By all rights she ought to have been half blind with fear and running the opposite direction. But that wasn't what happened. Instead, she stayed, and even found herself enjoying the rest of the poultry-free ride home. What kind of power was this, that rendered her feeling so at peace and content?

As with most riddles she had no answers for, Oriah screwed up her face for all of three ticks before she gave up and surrendered all attention to the fine weather and even finer company. Yahal would reveal the truth to her in time. And if he didn't, well...

...being in Marrick's company was enough.

by **Marrick Corvis** on April 6th, 2014, 7:35 pm

Costs Incurred:Marrick

Purchase	Cost
Heavy Tiaden War Horse (Kiter)	-300gm
Bit and Bridle	-2gm
Saddle Pad	-1gm
Riding Saddle	-10gm
Small Saddle Bags	-4gm
Horse Brush	-5gm
Weapon Harness	-5gm
Halter	-1sm
10 lbs of Feed Oats	-5cm

Costs Incurred: Oriah

None

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by **Radiant** on April 15th, 2014, 7:56 am

Marrick :

Oriah :

Notes :

My radiance is not bright enough?

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your grade, beam me a PM and we can work it out.

Skill	XP Earned
Animal Husbandry	+2 XP
Observation	+3 XP
Acrobatics	+1 XP
Rhetoric	+4 XP
Flirting	+4 XP
Socialization	+3 XP
Riding: Horse	+4 XP

Skill	XP Earned
Animal Husbandry	+1 XP
Observation	+4 XP
Rhetoric	+3 XP
Socialization	+3 XP
Riding: Horse	+1 XP

Completed [Windmount] Flesh, carved from the wind.(Oriah)