Closed Sentinels (Jaye)

[Colt]

16th of spring, 514 a.v
sunset

Shahar was on edge. He couldn’t help it; even those deep in the city were put off by the signs in the dirt and grass, never mind those on the outskirts and to say nothing of Shahar himself.

He had gone out of his way to set their camp up as close to the larger pavilions as they could, and it was causing him no small amount of discomfort, but the securing the city promised was well worth it––if it meant that Hope and Khida and Slither were safe from the glassbeaks, he’d set up camp in the middle of Endrykas if he had to.

He’d been one of the first to notice the prints larger than his own hands and the grass bent by creatures taller than any horse or zibri. He was no stranger to glassbeak tracks, and seeing them so close to the city was alarming, to say the least. They’d been circling the tents for days now, leaving everyone––man and animal alike––tense, waiting for something to happen. He could only hope that it wasn’t his family that that something happened to.

The sun was well below the horizon, and the last streaks of red were fading to purple. Shahar would usually be getting ready for bed at this hour, but tonight he didn’t dare; the glassbeaks had been far too close the night before, close enough to be spotted. They had been getting steadily closer since the beginning, and he feared that tonight would see their first move made.

In place of sleep, Shahar had chosen to take a position on the northern edge of the camp, where he could see off into eternity by what little light remained. The grass weaved and danced, as it always did, uncaring of men or their woes and lit red so that it almost looked like the blades were bathed in blood. Shahar hoped it wasn’t an omen.

He was crouched in his silent vigil, low enough to preserve his energy but in such a stance that he could rise quickly if he needed to. Akaidras, too, had sensed the tense atmosphere, and was standing resiliently at his rider’s shoulder. Drelah and Dainellas, however, had no desire to partake in whatever had overcome the Drykas and his strider and were remaining safely between their camp and the pavilion behind it.

There were two javelins stuck upright in the ground before Shahar, where he could reach them easily without worrying about the time it would take to draw from the quiver that rested on his back. Still, he wasn’t handling the javelins anxiously, not like he was handling his axe; the weapon had never proven useful in his day-to-day life, but it had served him well the year before, when the Zith had descended upon them. If something happened tonight he would trust it to do so again.

And so he waited, silent and still, as the last traces of the day were laid to rest.

[Jaye]

The tall fabric pavilions made quiet shuffling noises in the wind as Jaye paced along Endrykas edges. The sunset had turned the clouds purple and red as it descended over the tall grass and her black coat dazzled more brilliantly than it did at any other time of day. Finally a two year old, Jaye was finally able to carve her own place in the herd. These thoughts had permeated every moment of her life since the first of Spring and many small fights had ensued since then as she carved out her place, firmly in the middle of the herd. Fortila and the others were usually found dangling from her mane but had disappeared since yesterday and both Tavisa and Kindar had been agitated and flighty in their cages since the Glassbeaks had begun circling the camp. In her human form Jayes senses were dulled, she could only sense their predatory presence in the agitation of the surrounding animals. Since the Glassbeaks prints had been spotted she had spent her time as horse, senses strained outwards across the plains. She had never seen a Glassbeak in her short life but had heard many stories and recognized their rank scent in the air from these same tales. The wind had been stagnant over the last several days, so though the scent lay heavy around the city she could tell no better than the hunters or dogs which direction it came from. Startled from her thoughts by her fathers voice Jaye turned and trotted across the smooth slope halting before him ears tilted focusing firmly on him. She smelled carrots....Reaching her broad neck forward Jaye snuffled through his pockets searching for the pocket. "Hey Beautiful," he murmured reaching out to scratch her forehead gently. Groaning into his fingers Jaye relaxed for the first time since the scent had descended. Since the Zith had descended, killing her mother after her birth and her father had protected her at the expense of her mother she had honoured and respected him to the highest the degree. No one could hinder his virtue in her eyes, he would forever be her saviour and she always felt peace in his presence. "It is our turn to watch." Jaye nickered softly in return. Her father usually rode his own Strider for watches but in support of her own education since the first of Spring he had begun riding her during the Drykas hunts. His own Strider was an elderly stallion who seemed perfectly at ease to lounge in the grass instead of striking out on the long journeys that would otherwise be required of him. Standing at over 17 hands she was among the largest horses on the plains and had to kneel for him to place the Ysu on her back, buckling the girth around her stomach and tightening to slowly so it slid over her easily and didn't pinch the fragile skin along the edges of her stomach. When he reached for her opalglom bridle Jaye took a step away from him snorting heavily. It was a bridle she only ever wore during the day, or placed on horses she herself rode if they would be travelling somewhere that may startle them. She herself had never worn it. "Trust me Jaye, if we see these creatures the horse in you will want to run. You aren't ready to face that part of yourself yet. Just listen to my legs and weight, you'll know what to do." What is he thinking?! Jaye thought while he spoke. Even as she lowered her head to his level, and opened her mouth to allow the bit in she was scowling internally. He doesn't trust me? I know every part of myself and I'm much braver than other horses he's ridden into battle...I'm not a child anymore, I'm two, I'm ready to be ridden and challenged.... She had been carrying a saddle and bridle since she was one, getting used to the feel and weight. Communication through the bridle had been like learning a new language. Though her father could explain it in words, unlike other horses, the feel of it still took time. As much as she had wanted to carry her father into battle he had refused to ride her, worried about damaging her quickly growing limbs, until she was two. Slowly she laid down and felt his comforting weight slide over her back. An experienced horseman he never jerked on the reins and carried himself easily on her back despite her rough young gait. "I know you're mad little chickadee but you are a horse, professionalism and obedience are expected of you. Can you do that?" She knew he was scolding her because she was dragging her feet, and hung her head moping like a young child. Straightening up and picking her feet up a little higher Jaye corrected herself but glanced back at her father vehemently. She would always listen to him without question, but she certainly didn't have to be happy about it she thought to herself. She was doing her duty, that didn't mean she had to do it with sass, she added snorting to herself. Her father on the other hand was laughing to himself. He knew Jaye was as professional as one her age could be, and he found himself reminding her of her duties despite himself. He shouldn't nag, but without her mother alive, he felt it was his duty to play both roles. They had been walking in a straight line until now, but the soft glow of the bridle so near her eyes made everything beyond it fade into blackness. She could feel fear swarming her senses as she wondered where to put her feet, but the gentle firmness of her father in the saddle quelled her fears. They had practiced this endlessly, riding with a blind fold on so she could learn the meaning of seats and tugs. Slipping back into that training Jaye closed her eyes. Her father leaned forward slightly tapping her sides. Trot she thought, and slowly slipped into a faster pace. Soon they had made their way out of the crowd of pavilions and Jaye felt her father sit deep in the Ysu toward her haunches. Stop she recognized, and sat her haunches down coming to a slow stop. "How goes the night so far?" She heard her father ask. Inhaling deeply Jaye smelled the deep earthy scent of another horse. A tang of orange and oats emanating from its coat. The other smell was obviously human but she recognized neither. Leaning her head forward to inhale deeper she felt her father lift the rein slightly, checking the motion. What?! I'm not even allowed to introduce myself anymore? flattening her tail against her rump annoyed Jaye cocked a back hoof and let her lower lip droop, a full-on horse pout.

[Colt]

Akaidras shifted with a nicker, breaking the silent, agonizing feel of waiting that had fallen over his rider. The beast’s ears swiveled, and in another moment Shahar heard the thumping of footfalls. For a single, terrifying instant he feared that it was one of the glassbeak, but that fear was quickly dispelled when he heard more than two beats. It was a horse, and that gave him a great measure of relief. He didn’t particularly enjoy the company of strangers, it was true, but tonight it made him feel better to just know that there was someone nearby. It made him feel safer.

Shahar stood and Akaidras shifted again, though his rider’s gentle hand managed to quiet him before the mysterious visitor arrived. The light had disappeared, but the moon was lingering on the horizon and the stars were coming out, and… and, er, the horse’s face was glowing?

Shahar knew well enough that striders could have a certain luminescence in the dark, but that didn’t seem to be exactly what was happening with the approaching creature. If the light it was giving off was anything to go by, it was a black horse. Even Akaidras wasn’t true black, and he never gave off light after dark. No, the horse was wearing a bridle, and it was the bridle that seemed to be the offender.

The horse came to a halt on the edges of the camp, and Shahar took a few steps forward in tentative greeting.

“How goes the night so for?”

Safe, Shahar signed, realizing a moment later that the man would probably not be able to see it in the shadow.

“Fine,” he said out loud, voice rough and quiet. “Safe, for now.”

[Jaye]

Jayes father nodded at the young man before turning his eyes to the horizon. He knew the glowing bridle would be visible to the Glassbeaks and he hoped the announcement of their presence would deter them completely. A silent night was a good night in his opinion. Jaye on the other hand didn't like silent nights and loathed sitting around and waiting. Shuffling sideways very slowly Jaye sidled up to the Strider. Her father could feel her wiggling under his legs but didn't correct her this time, "Sorry, its her first time out on duty.". Jaye lashed her tail and pinned her ears at him. He doesn't need to apologize on my behalf! Jaye raged, I'm perfectly well behaved. Her father chuckled quietly at her reaction, "and apparently doesn't like me making excuses for her." Reaching out her nose Jaye snuffled the mans horse. As with all equine greetings there was moment of visible tensing as each horse decided whether or not to snort and back away from each other. Much taller and heavier than the Stallion Jaye almost pinned her ears to assert herself ahead of him in the herd. Always her first priority when meeting a new horse with her new established age. She could feel the anger at her disrespect emanating from his tensed body and pinned tail and immediately resorted to foal-like behaviour and nibbled with both her lips along his neck playfully, butting her muzzle against his dark coat. He's a lead stud... she thought as she stared at him quizzically. He held himself like her father held himself, she would have pranced around him like a newborn foal if he had demanded it of her and she recognized the same wisdom and steadfast stance in this horse.The man on his back on the other hand held little interest for her. He was like any other Drykas; smelled, looked and sounded like every other one. OOCCan someone identify a Strider on sight or do they have to be identified for you? Other than the subtle luminescence.

[Colt]

The strange horse was not a strider, that much was clear. It was much larger, for one, easily as large as Drelah. Large, yes, but still obviously quite young as it crept up next to Akaidras. Or at least, he assumed it was the horse; a human asking a horse to do that would be very strange, indeed.

Yes, it was the horse, as confirmed by the man’s apology. Shahar hmmed noncommittally, hands fluttering with it is fine.

The young horse made noises of dominance, which brought Shahar a bit of surprise and then amusement as his own horse responded in kind. The younger one immediately resorted to playfulness, lipping at Akaidras as if to say it was all a game. This calmed the strider easily enough, and soon he was responding in kind, butting back and flicking his tail with an unusual, almost acquiescent good-naturedness. Like an elder might treat a child.

Shahar chuckled soundlessly and let Akaidras do as he wished. It seemed to be putting the stallion at ease, and that, in turn, did something to assuage Shahar’s own worry.

But then, in an instant, the thin illusion of comfort broke. Akaidras froze with his head held high and his ears pointed outward. Something was amiss.

Shahar abandoned his attempt at pleasantry and tensed in response, moving quickly back to his original position at the north side of the hill and hefting his axe. Was it time? Had the glassbeaks come? Or had the strider simply heard a creature of the night, snapping a blade of grass in its passing. Shahar’s posture was tense, alert, but he did not say anything out loud––he needed to be sure that it was nothing before he dared break the silence again.

oocSorry for the abruptness, but I wasn’t quite sure how to bring the danger in. Striders are their own breed, so I imagine that if you know their conformation and traits you could identify them on sight, in the same way you could identify an Arabian horse or a thoroughbred on sight if you knew what each of them looked like.

[Jaye]

Jaye was delighted when the stallion responded in kind and shook her long neck in joy. The pale glow of the bridle was still blinding her but she could feel her way along his body and was comforted by the feeling of structure around her. Her fathers firm presence on her back helped and she was certain that a less strong rider would never be able to ride her with this bridle on. Akaidras heard the sound first. Jaye cursed herself for her lack of focus and perked her own head and ears. The sound was coming from up ahead and the scent that gusted passed her nose was the same rank acrid smell that made her delicate nose sting. Stomping a forefoot against the ground Jaye alerted her father to its presence. The glassbeaks...they were coming... Struggling against the instinctual rush of prey fear Jaye braced her legs and closed her eyes. With the bridle on they did little anyway, instead she listened and felt carefully for her fathers legs. One wrong step, and she could be the death of him. Jaye couldn't see the creatures that emerged from the thick waist high grass but she knew they had emerged as their feet crunched through the residual snow and dead grass of the winter beside her. "They're flanking us!" Her father whispered to her, making her body shake with anticipation. "They know where we are..." He nudged her right side at the same time making her turn to the left away from the pressure and leap forward at his command. "Left Flank!" He shouted at the other Drykas, the darkness too thick for their iconic sign language at such a distance. Jaye almost stumbled over the ground as she leapt forward with a little too much exuberance but managed to catch herself not too jarringly. She could hear a metal ring passed her ears as her fathers javelin connected with something else. His lunge forward in the seat caught her by surprise and she struggled to keep herself upright as he leaned to the left to yank the tip from whatever it was submerged in. She could feel the buzz of movement around her and desperately wished she could see. Her father had reseated himself and had dropped the reins to have full range of movement. Pressing his leg to her side against she turned as fast as she could for him this time prepared for him to lean out of the saddle as he went to stab. What he did in the saddle Jaye didn't recognize and the uncommon movement made her lose her balance. Falling to her knees she felt the rough gravel tear the flesh from her knees. Hissing in pain she struggled to get her feet under her heavy awkward body. Where is dad?! Jaye felt around the ground with her head sniffing the air deeply trying to find him. I'm not a hound! How am I supposed to find him with this contraption on?! She fumed to herself I can't even get up with it! she muttered, her legs too tangled to make sense by feel. Fortunately, as was common with Drykas bridles it didn't have a throat latch and was designed for easy removal. Lowering her head to her scraped knees she moved her head frantically until she had freed one of the ears that held it trapped to her face. Whinnying in pain, she felt something cold and hard slide along her haunches and a deep searing pain following it. Lashing out with her hind legs she felt them catch something and a resounding thud sounded beside her. Wiggling her head frantically and lowering her head to legs she managed to get the bridle free and ignored it as it fell limply to the ground in front of her. Her eyes adjusted frustratingly slowly to the environment around her, the glow from the bridle illuminating her long face from underneath. Without the dazzling brightness she managed to get her feet free and with an audible umph righted herself. Unable to see still, she panicked as the thing beside her rose, she could feel its feathers grazing her stomach and lunged out with her hind legs. Sweeping passed the creature Jaye continued to buck in as many directions as she could, her back arching as she sprang into the air crow hopping away from it. When her eyes finally adjusted she whirled on the creature, immediately looking for her father only to be struck still by what was before her. Lathered in sweat, the whites of her eyes showing Jaye began to shake. It was the most fearsome and ugly predator she had ever witnessed. Long slender clear beak, with feathers that almost glowed in the moonlight they were so well oiled. It was sharp at every angle and glared at her with such barbaric animosity she wished she could swallow it whole and bury it in the depths of her stomach. OOCOkay I wasn't sure if the other horses in Endrykas looked the same but just didn't have the ability to bond or something. Clarification appreciated. Also, cut it off before it got too long and took over too much XD Feel free to describe what Jaye wasn't able to see and no problem. Rather jump into the fray than have too long a prelude!

[Colt]

Within seconds, Shahar could hear the rustling of large creatures through the grass. He tensed, taking hold of one of the javelins he had stuck into the ground and hefting it to his shoulder, half-poised to throw.

They came from the darkness like ghosts, great hulking forms of black against black that blotted out the stars on the horizon. Two of them, stalking the outer perimeters of the camp lazily. They didn’t get too close, at least not at first; they were here for food before battle, and they were smart enough not to place themselves between the camp and the city. No, they were testing the waters, trying to spook any of the creatures before them into the open where they would have no chance of escape.

Shahar drew his arm back fully, other hand wrapped securely around the axe. He heard them separating, pinning the two Drykas and horses between them. Akaidras snorted and shied, returning to Shahar’s side and striking the earth with his hooves. He could sense them, too, and he was ready for the waiting to end.

“Left flank!”

Shahar jumped, but he nodded into the darkness and turned to face the bird to his left. He tightened his grip on the javelin and made a sudden, false start in its direction. The glassbeak startled for an instant, but then it was pacing again, back and forth, faster and faster. Shahar half-jumped forward again, and again the glassbeak took a step back, giving Shahar a challenging screech in return. That was all he needed. Shahar oriented towards the sound, coiled, and let the javelin fly.

He hit something, of that he was sure, and the glassbeak cried out in pain and retreated. He doubted it’d been a fatal blow, but he hoped it was enough to deter the creature from threatening the camp any farther.

His thoughts were interrupted by a disturbance to his right. Something was happening, and in another moment he felt the ground shake as something large crashed into the dirt. The glassbeak at Shahar’s side of the camp screeched again, this time in threat, although in its wounded state it was reluctant to chance a direct attack. Shahar raised his axe and shouted wordlessly back, charging and taking his second javelin in hand. He heard the crash as the glassbeak moved out of the way, reorienting to face him––it was close, so close he could hear its breathing and feel its footfalls through his shoes, close enough that it became confused to his sudden proximity and had to take a moment to adjust, and it was close enough for the shot to be made easy.

The glassbeak let out another agonized wail as his second javeling bit into its flesh and retreated fully into the brush; this Drykas caused too much pain to be worth remaining any longer, and it did not have a full pack behind it––there were other prizes to be had, ones that did not send sharp sticks flying.

The glassbeak disappeared into the night, but there was no time to rest––a piercing whinny shook the air, and fear ran through him like lightning. The stranger’s horse had been struck, and that meant an opportunity for the remaining beast; if something did not happen, and fast, more would descend upon the sound of the downed horse’s cry of pain, and onto his camp––onto his family. Without the time to properly think, Shahar did the first thing that came to mind: he raised the axe high, let out a yell and charged blindly to where the sound had come from, hoping to dissuade the glassbeak in whatever way he could.

[Jaye]

When the tall brunette charged toward them the creature glanced up distracted for a moment. The paralyzing gaze broken, Jaye collected her haunches under her and lowered her massive head. Even as a two year old she was stocky and heavy. Propelling herself forward she lunged toward the creature trampling it under her large plate-sized hooves. Shrieking, the Glassbeak bolted out from under her hooves, one wing hanging limply at its side. Watching the creature bound into the distance Jaye shook with adrenaline as sweat slowly dripped from her sides moistening the tall grass that had been trampled in their fight. Her instincts begged her to bolt even as her rear leg shook. I have to be human, it's the only way to hold on she realized, finally understanding her fathers warning. Like all Kelvics both forms had their uses and were equally comfortable but in the expansive and constant moving city that was Endrykas her horse form was more frequently used. Shifting into her human form Jaye felt the uncontrollable panic ebb and coherent thought returned. Her night sight was weakened in this form and as she searched for her father she stumbled over the ground, tripping and stumbling. Her fathers mound lay unmoving several meters from her and it took several chimes to fall to her knees at his side. The horse in her reared back at the sight, panic making her vision blurry. "Is he dead?" She queried at the brunette warrior. Voice distant and cold from shock Jaye gazed at the man imploring him to explain, to understand what was before her. OOCI'm very sorry for the delay. I started a new job with crazy shifts and whatnot >_< But I am back back now So lets get it on!

[Khida]

Shahar Dawnwhisper

Skill	Points
Blind Fighting	+1
Intimidation	+1
Javelin	+1
Observation	+2

• Tracking: glassbeak footprints
• Standing an evening watch
• Geology: the light of opalgloam
• Intimidation: the implication of attack
• Blind Fighting: aiming for a loud sound

Jaye

Skill	Points
Blind Fighting	+1
Diplomacy	+1
Observation	+1
Riding	+1
Unarmed Combat	+1

• Diplomacy: playfulness to soothe irritation
• The scent of glassbeaks
• The proper conduct of a horse with rider
• Scraping off a loose bridle
• Unarmed: a double rear kick

One spelling correction: the 'saddle' of the Drykas is a yvas. You used 'ysu' here. Also, I notice you don't have a Storyteller Secrets thread link, which suggests you don't have any approved NPCs. If you're going to use Jaye's father in further threads, you should submit a personal NPC request for him.

Notes

It's a pity this got cut short! I would've liked to have seen more in this story.

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns regarding this grade. Also, Jaye, please edit your request to show this thread has been graded.