Wendigo

[Dravite]

41 Fall, 515 AV
18th Bell, Evening
Endrykas

It had been an eventful day, hot and sticky with lots going on. Pearl had come back from the auctions with two fine horses, a wild little grassland colt and a handsome colour splash stallion that looked as if he knew how to throw his weight around. He quickly introduced himself to the herd, thundering through the existing stallions like a storm, and perhaps, that was the moment they chose his name. Cree welcomed the new horse with a gigantic kick to the chest and Knox, not one to let down his partner in crime, did much the same before all three of them sped off to play a game of dominance and challenge each other to quick sprints and endurance tests across the grassy plain.

Dravite watched with mild amusement, carrying a heavy bucket of water up to Ashka, who he believed was currently in season. He set the bucket down in front of the chocolate coloured mare and began brushing her mane, fighting the knots out of the fine, long, yellow hair that decorated her neck and hindquarters. She lifted her tail each time the brush neared her rump and Dravite hoped Cree might show some interest in the days to pass, for the mix of stock was one that would please him come late summer. He set to work, twisting his burly fingers around stray lengths of hair to pull them free, maintaining an equal length down the mare's powerful neck. She looked a lot better kept by the time he was through and sniffed at the ground and the discarded bits of hair while he worked.

As he picked out the mare's hooves, he was approached by Lian, who looked to be rather pleased with himself. The two men spoke for a time and Lian informed the Ankal that he had purchased a beautiful Nightwalker cross he wanted to give to Dravite as thanks and a show of good faith for taking him into the Blackwater pavilion. There was only one problem, the stallion in question was far too wild to bring back to the pavilion's herd and was known for fighting with other stallions, killing foals, and possibly attacking people. Dravite laughed, slowly shaking his head, "sounds like a handful, we'll need to house him for gold this season while I find out whether or not he can be tamed." Part of Dravite already knew it sounded like a long shot, but he loved a challenge.

The horse lord looked around camp then, everyone busy with their chores and daily routines. Lian wandered off to get on with his evening, leaving Dravite to decide on the best way to transport the Wild Nightwalker across the city, when he realised he was probably staring right at his only option, the mares.

Ashka, Rogue, and Sabah were pulled from the herd to act as bait, but Dravite needed something, someone that would give him the upper hand for the task ahead of him, and he knew just the person. "Kaitanu," he called from the mouth of the young man's tent, "need help," he spoke in common before signing the word help in Pavi, in fact, whenever he spoke to the Kelvic he would use sign to reinforce his common, hoping the other would slowly start to pick up on certain words and use them for himself once he grew confident enough with the language, "come," he waved and stalked out of camp, leading one or two of the mare's by taking a handful of mane to steer them.

Once he was out on the street he climbed up onto Ashka's back, a risky option for a mare that had seen few riders but seemed the calmest of his newest batch of horses. He encouraged her forwards with a click of his tongue against the roof of his mouth and when that didn't work; he gave a light squeeze of her sides between his legs. The mare jumped forward and gave a little, unexpected buck, almost dislodging the horse lord from the saddle of her back. He took two heavy fistfuls of mane and righted himself before ordering her forwards again, surprised but not intimidated when she decided to race down the street at full speed, the other two mare's struggling to keep up behind them. Dravite hoped Kaitanu would opt for his Kelvic form on this occasion; otherwise the boy just wouldn't be able to keep up.

When they reached the sales yards, everyone had long been and gone to collect their horses and the only one left was the wild Nightwalker cross, proud and alert, dancing back and forth on feather light hooves, ears pointed forwards out of interest and tailed raised high with excitement. Dravite got down from Ashka's back and waited for Kaitanu to join them, offering the man his shirt after signalling for him to take on his human form once more.
"Dangerous," he gestured to the large stallion, hoping Kaitanu might be able to get him a bit more information while he introduced the animal to his new mare's.

The watchman approached with caution, letting Ashka go two steps ahead of him. She trotted up to the wooden divide and both horses lowered their heads slightly to sniff at each other, nostrils flared and the velvet of their soft noses but an inch from one another. The muscles in the stallion's neck bowed beautifully as he raked his hoof against the ground before jumping back to lunge at the gate with his front legs splayed, as if to attack. Ashka threw her head up and made a high pitched sound, eyes wide with fright or challenge, of which the young Drykas man could not be sure. He felt adrenaline go through him as he considered his options; opening the gate seemed ridiculously risky, but would be the only way to get the stallion to go anywhere. Carefully he threaded a rope around Ashka's neck, intent on leading her in the hopes that the wild stallion would follow were he to go ahead with plan one.
"Ideas?" Dravite looked at Kaitanu, who hopefully had something better to offer than his bone chilling scheme.

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[Kaitanu]

Kaitanu’s day had been relatively uneventful once the morning’s brouhaha with Kyo and Pup was over. Kyo had spent the majority of the day sleeping on and off, passing into a deep slumber when Pearl said it was alright. Kaitanu then went about his chores, though he would check in on the coyote from time to time. The poor battered kelvic looked half-dead lying there on Kaitanu’s bedroll, but at least he was getting some actual rest. It had been all the two kelvics could do to keep him awake until the danger was over. After all, no one knew yet what damage had been done.

Pup, being young and energetic, could hardly be kept from coming into the tent and undoing the whole process by crawling all over his slumbering big brother, wanting to play. More than once Kaitanu had to drag him out, growling and nipping the whole way because he didn’t understand. Thankfully Garrison and Kyanite were soon up and distracting Pup by playing with him.

Other than all this there was very little to disturb the pale kelvic in his work. A times his mind would wander over his conversation with Kyo. The coyote-man was strange and new to him, but not unpleasant. “Friend”… Kaitanu would repeat to himself quietly, trying out the word as though it was a new pair of clothing. Despite being somewhat preoccupied the pale man never slacked in his duties, even managing to complete all before Dravite returned from the auction. Hopefully the ankal would be pleased with him. Belkaia seemed happy to have Kaitanu around, as much as she ever showed emotion to anyone but Kyanite. The kelvic had become an invaluable source of labor in the camp. With his uncanny strength he could gather much more water at one time, or shift Belkaia’s loom without assistance when it was too much in the sun. The young mother gave him a nod, and something close to a smile, as he came to the central fire for his evening meal.

Yuki was there as well, stirring a pot of rabbit stew and waiting for Raven and Sparrow to return. Her manner was somewhat more open and cheerful; she handed a steaming wooden bowl to Kaitanu with a full smile. The kelvic had never once balked at her cooking, no matter how experimental. That, and his placid attitude put the kelvic in favor with Yuki, who tended to be rather maternal. She did not laugh at his habit of bowing to her in thanks, even when Kyanite and Garrison mimicked him playfully. They were too young to be quite so graceful. Both boys followed him back to his tent, wanting to see the sleeping newcomer for the umpteenth time, but Yuki and Belkaia called them back and Kaitanu was left to eat his supper in peace. Not that he minded them, but Kyo was still in need of quiet. Kaitanu still felt it his duty to watch over the other kelvic when he was free from other duties.

Long after he had finished the stew he remained in the darkness of his tent, listening to the sounds of the tent city beyond, and of the men returning home from the auction. Kyo slept on, his breathing even. Kaitanu was glad of that, and allowed his mind to divide itself between watchfulness and the smell of new horses nearby. It was hardly surprising that the ankal should bring back one or two additions to the herd. The thunder of hoofbeats, coupled with excited neighs of friendly challenge, told him enough about one of the acquisitions; a stallion with plenty of vinegar. The other one smelled and sounded young, but his human nose was not so acute, and there were plenty of smells to untangle.

Kaitanu was suddenly jarred from his thoughts by the sound of Dravite’s footsteps crunching the dry grass outside his tent. True, this was no longer a source of panic to him. Yet the ankal would still find the white-skinned kelvic as ever he did when approached- kneeling with head bowed and hands on his knees. It was a deferential pose, but perhaps with a bit less stiffness in the shoulders than at first. Kaitanu was no longer in perpetual expectation of a whipping. All the same, he felt some apprehension about what Dravite wanted, being both eager to please and fearing failure. He did not even think to ask if someone should stay and sit with Kyo. The ankal had bidden him come, and that was that. The kelvic got up at once and followed the ankal obediently without a single question. Dravite might be pleased to know that the kelvic was practicing Pavi signs in his head so he could remember them. Kaitanu was keeping his hands free and ready for whatever work was to be done. He was simply waiting for instruction from the man who was, and was not, his master.

Unfortunately Dravite told him nothing more, and Kaitanu was left confused and somewhat nervous about what was expected of him. It was a good thing that he had, like many of the others in camp, opted to go without clothes that warm evening. The moment Dravite, Ashka, and the other mares broke into a run he found himself obliged to shift and follow in horse form. Hopefully this was what Dravite wanted, but Kaitanu was as in the dark as before. It was not until they reached the sales yard that the ankal finally clued him in.

Kaitanu’s heart plopped right into his stomach where the rabbit stew bubbled uneasily. Shifting back into human form had nothing to do with that, of course. Dravite, the master who was not his master, was looking to him for ideas. Since when did Kaitanu ever have ideas of his own? Especially when faced with something that could kill them all if it got out. Kaitanu was used to following, not thinking. However, if Dravte required this of him the kelvic was not in a position to admit to an empty mind.

“Perhaps if I speak with him we may come to an understanding.” Kaitanu said to Dravite, making what he hoped was the right sign for talk. He also gestured toward the wild horse, then to himself. This was the first, and only, thing that came to his mind, and he doubted it would work. However, opening the gate right now would be worse for everyone. Until he could think of anything better talking would have to do.

Slowly, making sure to keep every movement relaxed, Kaitanu approached the gate, behind which the stallion had begun to pace back and forth, as though looking for a weakness. On the other side Ashka stood with watchful eyes, neither moving forward nor backing down. A small sound of warning escaped through her teeth, but it was aimed at Kaitanu. He had gotten closer to the fenc, and Ashka didn’t want him, or Dravite, to get hurt. The kelvic didn’t move away, but spoke to her a few calm words which she doubted, but which the stallion caught onto at once. He’d had little enough experience with two-legged creatures, and was startled to find he understood this one. For a moment his frenetic pacing ceased, and the ears which had been swiveling back and forth focused forward to listen. The pause did not last long.

“You speak as I do.” the stallion tossed his head again and stamped. “You are not my kind. You are a two-legged!”

Kaitanu kept his stance neutral. Whatever this stallion was made of he was intelligent enough. “I am not here to challenge.”

“Move these trees away!” Coming up against the “trees” ( his word for “fence”) the stallion pushed against it menacingly. His nostrils were wide with angry snorts, and both ears were flattened against his arched neck.

Kaitanu felt the instinctive need to back away, but kept his outward cool intact. He wasn’t facing directly at the stallion, but half-sideways, his head canted forward in typical humility. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Dravite. For whatever reason, the ankal was counting on him. Fear of failing in his task kept the kelvic rooted where he stood, even when he wanted to retreat.

“I can not move the trees.” he said calmly. “You are dangerous to the two-legged. Be calm and the two-legged will not harm you. I will show where you will have food and quiet and mares.”

Word Count- 1,424

[Dravite]

Run, run, run the wild stallion communicated with Kaitanu, his ears turned forward each time the Kelvic had something new to say, only to twist back and flatten against the top of his neck once more. Run, run, run, escape. "I have a home and many mares," he raked the earth underfoot and bowed his head repeatedly in protest, "my home is out there," run, run, run, the dark stallion looked out towards the plains and reared up half-heartedly, snorting and dancing about the pen. Trapped, trapped, trapped.

Ashka stepped forward and lashed out at the stallion, attempting to bite him, a gesture which drew his attention effortlessly. The two horses seemed to converse in their own silent and sometimes not so silent language. The mare stomped her feet, squealed and nipped at the stallion, while he seemed to settle somewhat, calmed by her laid back demeanour. It seemed through all his willingness to get free, the enticing smells of a new mare had escaped his notice until now. Mine, he would then claim, lunging at Kaitanu only because he was closer to Ashka than the stallion himself.

Dravite pulled the man back, not wanting to risk his friend's safety over a horse. "Wild," the watchman commented, "broken mind?"

Out, out, out, mine the Nightwalker paced back and forth, neck puffed and tail lifted excitedly as he moved to sniff at the other two mare's, both far less interesting to him than Ashka. His mane was long, dark and knotted, his legs covered with dry muck up past the knees, and he had an old scar on his right shoulder, probably as a result of fighting with other wild stallions out on the plain.

The horse lord looked lost in thought, what could he do, he wondered, how could he get this beast to cooperate without anyone getting hurt. Dravite growled, he had been working with horses all his life; surely he could handle this brute. "Kaitanu lead Ashka?" He asked, "Dravite take care," he pointed to the stallion and picked up the rope he had brought along with him. He could feel the Kelvic's eyes on him, almost like the man wanted to protest, but wouldn't dare question the Ankal. Dravite watched Kaitanu for a chime and waved as if to allow the man to continue talking to the stallion but warned him not to get to close.

"Guided Horse not far, maybe one hundred metres," he pointed in the direction of the area he wished to house that stallion and would leave his mares with him for the rest of the season if that's what it took, "talk," he nodded, "make calm."

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[Kaitanu]

Run, run, run…Escape… For the blink of an eye, Kaitanu felt something prick at his heart, as though the idea behind these words had found a place there. Not with the same urgency, but as though the stallion’s spirit had passed through him, somehow, like wind and the beat of hooves. These were foreign concepts; they always had been. And yet, in that moment, the former kelvic slave had more affinity for the concept of running wild than ever in his life. Not because he was desperate to escape himself, but because he had been given a taste of true freedom. And he could not help a chill at the idea of being snatched from the Blackwater pavilion. For the stallion behind the fence, Kaitanu felt a strange and sudden pang of understanding and, what was stranger, the faintest wish that he could reach out and set the stallion free.

This epiphany was brief, and soon crowded out by his desire to serve Dravite, as well as to keep the situation from going sour on his watch. Ashka was doing her best to try and get the stallion in line, while poor Kaitanu had to step back and regroup. How was he to convince the wild stallion that being locked away was better for him? Beyond tempting him with the mares right before his eyes Kaitanu had not much to go on.

“His mind is not broken, no.” The kelvic shook his head. For a moment he paused, trying to find the right words. ”He wishes to be wild, to return to his mares. He wants to be free again, but he also wants your mares. He’s claimed Ashka.”

Dravite’s suggestion that Kaitanu go before the Seme mare was not exactly a surprise. It wasn’t pleasant, either. Under the light of the torches Kaitanu’s skin went slightly paler, if that was possible. Had the kelvic been assertive he might have argued the point, or cautioned the man whose hand gripped his shoulder. But Dravite saw the only protest in Kaitanu’s strange eyes, and it was weak at best. If the ankal thought that using Ashka as bait was the best way then it likely was. The kelvic didn’t think too much of his own judgment anyway.

”I will do as you bid.” Maintaining a calm veneer, the kelvic turned back to face the wild stallion with heart and body prepared for sudden violence. This was not one of his former masters, but a wild horse could be just as unpredictable. Kaitanu had learned that the hard way before he came to live with Dravite.

He had also learned a certain amount of tactfulness which often approached subtlety. The stallion would refuse almost anything else but the support of his own desires. Kaitanu would have to appeal to his best interests, and perhaps Ashka and the other mares would turn the trick. He made sure to keep a respectful distance from the stallion, as well as the Seme mare, who was still sizing up the newcomer. He might be an asset if she could get him into good order, but Ashka was not at all pleased with the stallion’s mumblings about the “two-leggeds” of whom she was fond. Her dark eyes were on the stallion as Kaitanu approached and spoke with him.

”If you go, these mares will not go with you. This is their home. If you follow this mare she and the other mares will be pleased with you.”

Whatever such wild stallions thought of themselves, if they were sensible they knew not to force anything on a mare, especially one like Ashka. Even Kaitanu, as he said this, was careful to make sure Ashka would not object.

”It is night.” the kelvic went on. ”If you run now you will be hunted. Here you will be with these mares and have food and safety and rest for tomorrow.” Kaitanu left that hint in the air, hoping the stallion would find incentive enough in the chance to be at his full strength for escaping the next day. The kelvic merely added that hint to sweeten the deal, and hoped against hope that Ashka and the other mares would keep him from trying anything. If they could just get him to the Guided Horse that would be enough for the moment. Beyond that, it was up to Dravite and Kelna. Kaitanu might be a horse kelvic, but he knew nothing about how to break in a wild stallion.

[Dravite]

The stallion was still, and for a few short seconds, calm. He listened to Kaitanu, that was a start, but it was Ashka who truly knew how to hold his attention. Mine, mine, mine, he raked at the earth again, this time stamping his front left hoof.

For Dravite, this all seemed a bit hard to watch, he was a man of action, sitting back and waiting for things to happen in their own time never bode well with him. Still, he was willing to let Kaitanu do his job, or at least try, even if the silent exchange did frustrate him. Kaitanu had tried to explain that the stallion's mind was not broken and Dravite thought over the Kelvic's words. He tried to imagine what it might feel like to have his own freedom stripped from him overnight, though he couldn’t help but come to the conclusion that three beautiful women might sweeten the deal, "he will stay," the horse lord said then, because I will not let him escape.

The watchman tied some rope around Ashka's neck and led her away from the pen. The stallion watched as the other two mare's followed her which caused him to shake his head and turn on the spot, mine, mine, mine! He jumped against the wooden divide, causing it to rattle against his chest. Dravite called Kaitanu over and held out the rope for him to take the mare; she was easy to lead and would do so even for a man with little experience.

Dravite took a in a deep breath and let it out all at once, readying his nerves for the job ahead. The troublesome stallion was about to get his first lesson, and Dravite was hoping it ended with both of them being able to keep all of their teeth.

"He kicks," the horse lord warned Kaitanu in the basic common he knew, "front leg, back leg, both," the man gestured, "give room, Ashka only kick back leg," he patted the mare on her rump and took the other length of rope over to the stall.

The stallion's nostrils flared, ears pointed forward out of interest and curiosity; what was the two-legged's fascination with rope? Dravite managed to slip the rope around the stallion's neck and instantly the animal reared up, communicating with Kaitanu and the other horses, snake, snake, snake, run, run, run! Dravite wasn't daunted by the outburst; he had worked with rearing horses before and had a few tricks up his sleeve. While the stallion got over his initial fright, the watchman twisted the rope part way down, forming a loop. He looked at Kaitanu and nodded, as if to let the man know that he would need to be ready to move quickly ifs this all went the wrong way, and then, he opened the gate.

The large stallion shot from the pen like a newly released arrow, making a beeline for Ashka and the bleached haired man only to be stopped suddenly as Dravite planted his feet and pulled on the rope with all his strength. The stallion managed to walk the man forwards a step or two and as the horse lifted his front left hoof Dravite quickly threw the looped rope over his hoof to hobble the leg. He tossed the rest of the rope over the horse's back and pulled on the rope around the animal's neck as he jumped away from the man.

Snake, snake, snake, the stallion reared, affording Dravite enough time to reach across the animal's belly and snatch at the rope, clearing out of the way before the stallion came back down to earth. From here on Dravite would not look Kaitanu in the eye, knowing how difficult it must be to see one of his own, something so powerful, wild, and free, submit to something so small and insignificant where he had come from. The horse lord pulled on the hobble rope and the stallion was forced to lift his leg so that the hoof was trapped against his ribs. If he fought back he was using his own strength against himself, but that did not mean he wouldn't fight.

The beast jumped about, kicking and shaking his head, and bouncing forwards to land on one leg. Dravite gave him the room he needed to act out as he knew sooner or later the stallion would run out of energy. When the horse jumped away, Dravite would turn him via the rope around his neck, making sure the stallion knew exactly who was responsible for his inevitable submission. Horses were flight creatures and in the wild laying down meant death, they were venerable in that position, wolves and lions often took a horse when he was on his side and this one had never waited for death before.

When Dravite finally got the animal to ground, he waited until the stallion lay his head on the earth and walked about the horse, never moving in front of him. The watchman approached the stallion at the shoulder and sat down over the taut rope around his chest. The gesture said I am your master, I am stronger, smarter, and better than you; follow me.

Down, down, down, the stallion snorted, defeat, defeat at the hands of the two-legged; down, down, down, and out. Dravite didn't show the stallion any affection, though he had been tempted to stroke the animal's neck, he resisted and got to his feet after a chime, giving the stallion some room to get up. When the horse got to his feet he stood with his head lowered, sniffing the ground and finding his scent there. He didn't jump around like a wayward king of the wilds or kick and bite. He didn't charge at the mares or lash out at Dravite, instead he just stood, baffled by his own defeat.

Dravite loosened the ropes and made sure there was nothing for the stallion to trip on before he tugged on the tether around the animal's neck, turned the stallion towards him, reinforcing who was boss, and who from now on would take the lead. The stallion followed full circle and stopped when he was pointed after Ashka, "go," the watchman waved to Kaitanu, "horse will follow."

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[Kaitanu]

Now it was Kaitanu’s turn to stand by and watch. He did so with an utterly blank face and veiled eyes masking the sudden rush of fear and panic that nearly overwhelmed him as the gate swung open. It was, however, as nothing to what he felt upon watching Dravite wrestle the stallion to the ground. This was no game of strength, where only pride was wounded at the end. Nor was it a fight for food or survival. Kaitanu’s heart hammered in his chest as he saw, as if in a dream, himself being tied against his will and pressed into the dirt. The stallion’s screams of snake! run! resounded in his ears above their struggling. Kaitanu wanted to run, to flee from danger, but what was the danger here? A wild stallion? Snakes which were not snakes at all? Or was it seeing Dravite with that light of conquest in his eyes?

Moon-bleached fingers tightened around the rope, but he did not move to lead Ashka away. Both feet remained rooted in the dust. It might have looked like obedience to Dravite; mostly it was. At the same time the kelvic was trying almost desperately to conquer the sudden rush of horror that had swept over him, as well as the instinct to escape from danger. Kaitanu knew he was overreacting. Dravite had not captured a slave; the stallion on the ground was not a kelvic like himself. Still, the pale man felt ice in his veins and had to turn away. He was the stallion…he was not… Somehow he could not separate the two in his mind without force.

Kaitanu pretended to be adjusting the rope around Ashka’s neck, even though his mind was divided. Had he cried out in terror like that upon his own capture? Or had he gone without protest? There was nothing in his memory before that life of servitude, and that was all muddied. Yet how easily it returned in all its confused pain. Dimly, he felt Ashka nudging his shoulder. She had scented his fear, but thought it was because of all the racket the stallion was making. This gesture brought the kelvic back to himself somewhat, and he was glad the ankal had been distracted. Kaitanu had begun to realize that, for the first time in many weeks, he was terrified of Dravite.

Another nudge from Ashka, and a moment more of pushing down his emotions, and the kelvic was able to look back again without betraying what he felt. Only a hint more of reserve showed in his expression. He looked neither at Dravite nor the stallion, but nodded at the ankal’s commands and walked ahead with Ashka beside him. The other mares followed slightly behind on his other side, their ears swiveling about to catch the heavy breath of the stallion. Other than being a little wary, the three Blackwater horses remained calm. Only Kaitanu was deeply affected by what had just happened, but he had no ears or long tail right now to give anything away. By the time they had reached the Guided Horse he was calm, if somewhat blank. Kaitanu could even glance over his shoulder at Dravite and the stallion without so much as a hitch in his breath.

“I will fetch Kelna Nightrider for you. Are the mares to be lodged here as well?” Reaching out the kelvic made to unlock the paddock gate beside the main tent. As he did so, his gaze met the stallion’s briefly, wondering if there would be more struggling, more violence. Was the wild creature still angry and afraid, and just hiding it? A tiny part of the kelvic wanted to try explaining to the stallion about ropes and snakes, but he remained silent, waiting for further orders.

[Dravite]

Kenla stepped out from the main tent and smiled warmly at the pair, though she had an air of business about her and got straight to the point, "I thought I'd see this one here," the woman took hold of the gate which led into more of a holding pen than a paddock; even the Guided Horse's animals were allowed to run free if they could be trusted to stay near camp, others like the wild stallion, would have to be housed, "is that the same horse?" Kenla jested, not realising what had just gone on.
"He is," Dravite nodded, he was not the kind of man that ruled his animals with a voice like thunder, but a silent determination and strength that even the stallion seemed to recognise.
"Does he have a name?"
"Not yet but he put up quite a fight today."
"Will the mares be staying?"
"No, but they will visit," Dravite mention, just in case Kenla had a problem with that idea.
"Into the stall he goes then, the end one if you don't mind, then I can keep an empty pen beside him to avoid any incidents."
"Apparently he bites," Dravite admitted.
Kenla laughed, "So I've seen, he went for the auctioneer today."
"He did?"
The woman nodded.

"Perhaps I will call him Wendigo then."
"Any significant meaning?"
"Just a story my father used to tell."
"Wendigo it is."

The watchman helped usher the stallion into his stall and made sure he was settled, fetching a fresh bucket of water and some dry feed for him. He planned to come back each evening after work to see that Wendigo covered his mares and remained in good health, and perhaps if he found the time he would get some more training done with the horse too. Kaitanu seemed quiet throughout the exchange and Dravite let him be, asking only that he help with the trips back and forth to fetch water from a nearby stream the Guided Horse was making the most of.

As they later returned to camp on foot, with Dravite deciding he had probably run out of luck with horses today and didn't quite fancy breaking his neck, that he would avoid riding Ashka home. He intentionally bumped into Kaitanu with his shoulder and finally looked him in the eye, "cheer up," he smiled, "just business."

Not the smartest two words he had ever strung together for the man, had Kaitanu's enslavement been 'just business' to someone also? "Horse friend," he corrected, "Wendigo dangerous, valuable, run free Blackwater herd, winter," he tried to explain and if Kaitanu had any inclination to work with the horse in the meantime he was free to convince him that freedom within the herd was better than the time he would spend at the Guided Horse. "Thank for help, Kaitanu," brave, admirable, appreciated, the horse lord signed, though he didn't have the common words readily available to him, he hoped Kaitanu understood that his time and help was appreciated.

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[Kaitanu]

There was no outward flinch at the words “just business”. Inside, they dropped into his stomach like stones, heavy and jagged. If there had not been a growing trust between them Kaitanu would not have felt any pain at all, or the confusion of where he stood in comparison with the wild horse. In the beginning there had been rope around his neck, and a dagger against his chin. Had he merely escaped force because he didn’t fight back?

Kaitanu looked half-up at Dravite, but his expression remained neutral. He could see the way the ankal was eyeing him in that particular way, as though he could see what was going on inside Kaitanu’s head. Perhaps it was his work with horses that made Dravite such a keen observer. Most people ignored the pale man, or if they didn’t, they were not able to get past his mask. He preferred it that way. Dravite seemed one of the only individuals who could read the kelvic, or even wanted to put in the effort. That was regrettable. Kaitanu hadn’t meant for the ankal to see that he was bothered, especially because he himself was so mixed up about how he should feel. The same man who had just dominated a wild stallion was thanking Kaitanu for his help, and calling him “friend”. Even if his Common speech was poor the kelvic caught his general meaning. Furthermore, he reminded himself, the stallion would be well cared for and fed and housed. Just as Kaitanu had been.

”You are special. You are Blackwater.”

Unconsciously, the kelvic reached up to his neck where Dravite had once placed a silver torc. Not a collar, as he came to understand, but a symbol of belonging. Though it was hidden well back at his tent the kelvic knew every inch of the silver crescent by heart. Sometimes he would take it out and look at it and try to understand what was different about his new life, as though the torc had all the answers. He was different, but how much still remained unclear. Dravite was signing to him words that Kaitanu didn’t exactly understand, but the look on the ankal’s face made things a bit clearer. Kaitanu and the stallion were not the same, even if he didn't know quite how that was. To the ankal they were not.

“You are welcome, Dravite.” he said in a quiet voice, signing welcome. “I am glad to help in any way I can.” help. Yes, he supposed he was glad, or coming to understand what it meant to be glad. Without Dravite, and Pearl, and the rest of the pavilion, he would not have known otherwise. Perhaps, in time, he could show the stallion how kind his new “herd” would be. Kaitanu might have to think for a long while about what had happened, but as they walked side by side back to the dark-colored tents, and the bright light of the evening fire, the kelvic was feeling better than he had just a few moments ago.

[Azmere]

 

Dravite

Experience

• Horsemanship: +2
• Teaching: +1
• Riding: Horse: +1
• Animal Husbandry: +2
• Leadership: +2

Lore

• Dravite: Loves a challenge
• Dravite: A lifetime spent with horses
• Horsemanship: Hobble rope
• Dravite: Appreciates Kaitanu’s help
• Wendigo: A father’s story lives on

Notes

You helped me get my feet wet in the world of Mizahar. Even after you've gone, I'm still learning things from you.

 

Kaitanu

Experience

• Observation: +4
• Negotiation: +2
• Intelligence: +1
• Animal Husbandry:+1
• Socialization: +1

Lore

• Kaitanu: Dutiful to his pavilion
• Kaitanu: Student of hard knocks
• Kaitanu: Doubts himself
• Dravite: Terrifying
• Owned or Belonging: Hard for a free slave to tell

Notes

This was first exposure to your writing, Kaitanu. You have a great gift. I enjoy the perspective that you give to your PC. It's not totally different but something like a 2 degree shift(If a plane leaves NYC for London but adjusts course 2 degrees south, they end up in a different continent). Well done! I thoroughly enjoyed this thread. Let me know if you have any concerns or questions as I am still new to grading.