Altogether Unexpected (Vice)

[Colt]

79th of spring, 514 a.v
noon

The days were getting warmer, of that he was certain. The grasslands had reached full bloom a long time ago, and the flowers and scents of nectar were slowly beginning to fade, giving way to the steady verdance that would eventually become summer. It wasn’t hot, though, not yet, and that prompted Shahar to range a bit farther than usual. Perhaps it was not wise, but he didn’t plan on going too far--the air was comfortable, the wind pleasant, the sun was forgiving and he couldn’t think of a more desirable kind of day to be out and about.

He kept Akaidras at a quick walk for Tuka’s sake; the little hunting cat had finally mustered up the courage to follow him on his longer excursions, and she was keeping up nicely to the horse and rider. She wasn’t yet her full size, not at all, but she was getting there and she was certainly not a kitten any longer. Her baby fluff had begun to fall off in patches, and beneath it were glimpses of a sleek and supple hide just waiting to burst into existence. This did, however, have somewhat unfortunate implications for her mane, which stuck straight up in some places and was completely missing in others, making her neck look like a half-chewed doll and just a little bit silly.

Shahar was happy with the day so far; two rabbits and a fat quail were hitched to the yvas behind him, and high noon had only just arrived. The day promised to be fair for awhile yet, so he hoped to find a bit more to add to his take before he returned home. Right now, though, he could afford to take his time, and it was for this reason that he was guiding his Strider to the dip between three hills where he knew water gathered.

He heard the stream before he saw it, as did Akaidras. It danced merrily between two of the hills, just as he remembered, hidden in the grass before draining into a small pool at the base of all three rises, and it was this pool that he made his way towards. It wasn’t a large pool by any means--about the width of a well-off pavilion, he’d wager--but the water looked cool and refreshing and not at all deep. With running water feeding it and another leading from it, the pool was in constant motion and mostly clear. It would be a pleasant relief from Syna at her full height.

Shahar pulled Akaidras to a halt by the edge of the water and dismounted. Tuka immediately curled around his legs in greeting, and he bent to give her a quick scratch on the head before turning to his horse and unstrapping the yvas. Akaidras had worked well today, and deserved a rest as much as Shahar did. The stallion immediately moved to a bare patch of dirt and sank to his knees, then to his back and began to roll about with the reckless joy that rolling horses so often possessed.

With his horse taken care of, Shahar turned to his own needs. He’d gone without a shirt today, but the leather straps of his equipment had left the flesh beneath them slick with sweat. He was glad to shrug off his quiver and waterskin, which left his chest completely bare and open to wash in the pool. The cold water was a bit of a shock, but well worth it; his muscles relaxed almost immediately, and he contemplated stripping completely so he might take a bath.

Hoofbeats alerted him to Akaidras’ return, and he turned to give a smile and a quick enjoy yourself?

The stallion shook his head vigorously to loosen the dirt and dust that clung to his coat, which floated promptly over to Shahar and stuck itself to his wet chest. He looked down at the dust disapprovingly, then cast a miffed sign at his horse. Akaidras either didn’t see or didn’t care, but that didn’t bother the Drykas a great deal; it seemed that he would be bathing, after all.

Shahar undid his shoes, belt and then finally cast his breeches to the rest of his belongings. After a quick command to Akaidras to remain vigilant, Shahar waded into the water. The inner walls of the hills were sheer, and not particularly numerous in hiding spots for anything bigger than perhaps a badger, while the sky was relatively clear and would provide ample view of anything that descended too suspiciously. Akaidras knew how to stand guard, and so Shahar trusted him to warn of any incoming danger.

[Vice]

Lush pastures and endless terrain spanned before the Drykas, Syna's path resting temporarily at the exact center of the skyline, the Goddess shining her radiance upon the world, her heat dimmed somewhat by an expanse of thin cloud cover. The air was thick with moisture, rich in oxygen. In truth, the weather was perfect for a day's voyage in the Sea of Grass.

As with all things, appearances were deceiving.

Treacherous, dangerous, and rife with dangers, most never had the chance to hear the sounds of slaughter that took place in what appeared to be gentle pasture. The sounds of predators preying on game, the screeches of violence as they slaughtered one another for a chance at survival. So was the way of the Sea of Grass. And as was so with Cyphrus as a whole.

Survival of the fittest.

The grassy knoll was flooded this day, the Bluevein spilling its depths upon the grassy shores of the pastures. The water had seeped into the grass, turning pasture into a treacherous display of muddy rank, but for Shahar, at the moment, it wasn't significant.

The man had found an offshoot of the Bluevein, a single stream that allowed the space for several to bathe in at once if the need arose, the water likely reaching to the man's chest but no farther, allowing him to bathe peacefully as the horse that accompanied cast its gaze about, following the Drykas' command.

Chimes would pass in relative silence, eighteen in number as the Drykas continued his wash. It wasn't until then that the horse began to panic so as to alert its master of a looming threat.

If Shahar made his way to see what the ruckus was, he would observe the presence of four running Olidosapux, the massive creatures fleeing as one other remained behind to defend as two Glassbeaks charged at the small group of beasts.

The Glassbeaks were swift, fearsome predators, their charge little more than a blur as the duo struck down one of the Olidosapux, one tearing at its flesh with its beak as the other quickly kicked it to death, massive, transparent talons piercing through the mammal's skull and puncturing its brain, ending its life.

The two glassbeaks began to feed from the fallen beast, woefully ignorant of their surroundings, for the moment.

O.OThe Sea of Grass is really, really, really dangerous. Two Glassbeaks? What will you do?

[Colt]

It was Akaidras’ stirrings that eventually roused Shahar from his bathing. The Drykas was immediately on edge; he knew well enough to listen to his Strider, and the eighteen chimes he had been afforded had been more than enough to accomplish what he had set out to do. He slipped out of the water, hoisted his javelins onto his shoulder and took hold of his axe, not bothering with his clothes just yet. He could afford to lose those, if need be, and so it was a stark naked Drykas that made his quick, quiet and efficient way to the dip between two of the hills to peer at what had disturbed his Strider so.

The galloping herdbeasts should have been enough to warn him that something was amiss, but he remained in place until he could see what it was that they were fleeing from. Then, with a twisting gut, he saw them, mere streaks of movement upon the grass. For a moment, he could only wonder why exactly they were there--he was still within easy distance of the city, and surely if this was regular territory then he would have seen signs? But, wait--no, there were two of them. He cast his gaze for others, but they seemed to be the only ones. If there were only two, then did that mean that they were younglings, yet to find a pack of their own and with no real territory to speak of?

There was no time to dwell on it, at least not now--the two beast bore down on their quarry, and within moments of appearing they had brought the beast down. This managed to stir Shahar from his stupor, and he turned away from his vantage point and sidled back to the bottom of the junction, careful to break any line of sight between him and the birds and to keep it broken. He slipped into his pants, but the belts and pouches were for later--those would go on the yvas, at least until he and Akaidras could get close enough to the city to deter any pursuit.

The stallion was nervous, and he danced in the dirt as his rider approached. He did not snort or neigh, though; he, too knew what it was that would give chase if it was made aware of their presence, and the horse had enough sense to remain silent.

Shahar gave his Strider a hard look and place a hand on the beast’s neck.

No, he signed firmly. Be calm. Be still. Be silent. Command.

This gave Akaidras enough pause for Shahar to get the yvas back on him, disregarding the dirt and grit that was still in between. That could be brushed out when they were safe. When the pad was secure enough to mount, Shahar swung onto his Strider’s back and immediately directed him to the dip in the hills farthest away from the two birds, and despite protests he kept them at a walk. A gallop would be heard, and if the glassbeaks decided that the olidosapux was not enough of a meal then they could very well be next.