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Post by dragon on Aug 4, 2008 17:41:42 GMT -5
The night was inky black, and just absolutely gorgeous. The stars were big and bright, and off on the western horizon a few brighter sparks signified the presence of planets. The night was comfortably cool, and a light zephyr blew through the tops of the sparse scattering of trees on the fields. Below, in a hollow between two hills, slept the entirety of both herds. Herd beasts and sheep alike were a mingled together as they slept through the night. Off to one side, a lone waking sheep was grunting to itself as it chewed its cud.
Up on the top of the nearest hill crouched a much larger creature – a wher. She was nearly invisible in the darkness, as her dark green hide nearly perfectly matched the shade of the leaning tree she was crouched under. Her shining, keen eyes watched the herd and the surrounding territory with intensity, before glancing once again off to her left.
To Crevesk’s left, and slightly down the hill, her handler, young Crevy, was twirling about with her arms in the air, singling a gay little tune, pretending that she was dancing with someone. A rather convenient not-there someone. But she was happy, and that was nice.
But Crevesk did wish that her own would stay a little closer to the herd when dancing about like that … she was making it awfully difficult to keep a watchful guarding eye on them both.
Finishing the song, Crevy ran over to where Crevesk was, and plopped down on the ground next to her with a happy sigh, smoothing her skirts out on her lap. “That was wonderful!” she told the Wher.
Crevesk just looked at her lovingly, before turning her gaze back to the herd below.
Crevy stared up at the inky sky, and plopped over backwards in the dirt, staring up at the gems up there. “Wouldn’t it be swell, if I had a necklace made of stars? And maybe a pendant of a bigger one? Hm? That would be so pretty! But I’d need a really nice dress to wear it with…”
Crevesk looked at Crevy again, amused. The girl already had nearly a half dozen necklaces purchased at market.
“I bet such a thing would be a heavy thing to wear, though … prolly would give me a huge neck ache.” Crevy mused.
The wher merely grunted, shifting her posture slightly. Sitting up, Crevy leaned over, resting against the wher’s warm side.
“I am glad you’re here with me, Crevesk.” Crevy told her for the umpteenth time that night alone.
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Post by archenstone on Aug 11, 2008 0:37:05 GMT -5
"How can such a simple task lead me to another and delay me from my home?" Asharra asked herself irritably. She was far too old to be out at night. The light bumping from the runners walk made the small of her back ache, however her feet would be much worse if she actually walked back. "I need to be less stubborn..." She continued to grumble. She was on the main road and it was dark. The stars above at least gave her light but she let the runner lead the way. She would know home better anyways. Letting out a sigh, Asharra had to admit that the night's air felt good. If only she wasn't so tired...
She had been making only light rounds today on some people she knew still needed some care. Of course, some woman had to go into labor with her being the closest one around to birth. Asharra had gone of course. The labor had been difficult and resulted in twins. Lots of blood was lost. It had been late when she was able to leave the woman with her family. They had offered her shelter but she stubbornly, albeit politely, refused so she could sleep in her own cot.
As the animal continued to plod along Asharra thought she heard singing. A light and merry tune drifted upon the wind. Who would be singing this late? The thought stayed in her head as she glanced up the small hill she was riding by. When something large revealed itself against the outline of the hill Asharra held the reins tight. Then a human topped the hill and a girl's voice was heard once again. Not a girl's...but a young woman. She realized it must be some one guarding the flocks she noticed on her way out here. With a sigh she decided she should see how far out she was. Loosening her grip on the reigns, Asharra drew the beast to a halt.
She couldn't see the woman's outline anymore but the creature was still there. She paused...thinking...then called out, "Wherhandler! Could you help me a moment please?" She grimaced, the night only seemed to make her sound older than her 64 years. Once again she thought she had been silly to refuse shelter. They do use the watch whers out here right? She tried to remember.
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Post by dragon on Aug 12, 2008 11:22:23 GMT -5
Crevesk turned her head at the sound of the woman's voice, and then nudged Crevy with her snout. Jumping to her feet, Crevy walked around her Wher, and looked around. Squinting momentarily, she looked back at Crevesk.
"Did I hear someone? I don't see them." Crevy said.
Crevesk blew a slow snort, and rose to her feet. She started ambling down the hill toward the runnerbeast and rider. Crevy danced along beside her, and when she spotted the runnerbeast, ran on ahead. Crevesk stopped where she was, knowing better than to approach a runner that might be frightened by her presence.
Crevy sprinted the last of the way to where the rider was, and then skidded to a stop. "Hallo there!" She greeted, happily. "How goes it? It's awfully late to be out and about on a runner." she observed, very curious what had an older lady out at such an hour. "My name's Crevy." She introduced herself. "And my Wher, Crevesk." she turned, and pointed back at where the Wher had hunkered down again, once more eyeing the herd.
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Post by archenstone on Aug 12, 2008 22:33:46 GMT -5
At first Asharra only saw the large creature start its way down the hill. Her held her reigns firmly and stroked down the mane of the mare. The mare flicked her ears back and swished her tail but stayed. Whers weren't dragon but akin enough to make Asharra nervous. Asharra's hands twitched when the woman seemed to form up from the darkness.
She was silent for a moment as she listened to the girl. Her first impression was of a chatty, curious girl. She took a deep breath. She must have been drowsy to jump at the site of her! At least I was right about the Wher...She thought, glad the animal had enough sense not to spook the runner.
"I am Asharra...it's good to meet you. How far away is Selenitas Hold? I started out late and it seems I'm taking longer to get back." Weariness edged her voice but at least talking made her less drowsy. Idly, she shifted the chain link necklace. The many different links where starting to bother her neck. She managed a wan smile though. Surely this girl would tell her she's close to hold and hearth. Then she could enjoy a soothing tincture before drifting to sleep.
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Post by dragon on Aug 13, 2008 14:45:43 GMT -5
((Apologies ahead of time ... I don't remember what measurements are used for distances - so I used miles))
"Selenitas Hold?" Crevy asked, speculatively. She had to think about that ... she hadn't been exactly walking the distance from the herd to the hold ... more along the lines of riding Crevesk through between to get back and forth. She thought about it for a long moment, before answering. "About three miles, I would guess. I am not really sure." she answered, honestly. "You'll be awhile getting there yet." she told her.
"It is very nice to meet you, ma'am." She greeted yet again, though she did take note of the weariness of Asharra's voice. "Here. If you want some, I have some klah, here." She took the small canteen off her waist, and stepped forward to offer it up to Asharra. "It might help keep you awake a bit." she said. The contents were not warm, but they weren't exactly as cool as the night air, either. "We don't need you falling asleep in the saddle!" she said, cheerily.
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Post by archenstone on Aug 15, 2008 9:46:34 GMT -5
((It's okay I dont know them either))
I came out farther than anticipated...She thought sourly as she thought of the ride ahead. The offer of Klah made her spirit feel a littel better though. "Thank you, I don't need to fall asleep." She took the offered flask and drank. Not the warmest, but it wasn't cold mud either. The runner flicked her ears as Asharra shifted.
"I didn't realize we had come so far out today. Time seems to go between when you need it most." After saying that she had a thought. To be able to go there in a blink of one's eye... As tempting as the prospect was she didn't trust dragonriders. This girl is no dragonrider though...her creature's a wher.. The girl seemed nice enough and bed was a tempting reward to a nights labor. She considered her possibilities as she looked at Crevy. "Are you here every night? Surely it gets lonely out here." Talking kept her awake. She would go soon but not till she was ready to go the rest of the way.
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Post by dragon on Aug 15, 2008 12:36:24 GMT -5
"Am I here every night? Not here, here. But yes ... I am out with the herds every night that there's not thread. When there is thread, Crevesk and I are working with the other Whers, while the herds are locked up safe." Crevy said, happy to help. "It can be a tedious chore to herd this many animals back and forth every day ... so we stay here with them. As for lonely ... yes, it is!" she agreed with energy. "It's not often that we see other people ..."
Crevesk grunted, shifting how she was resting, taking stock of everything she could see in the night ... and also keeping an eye on the stranger by hers.
"Do you think you can make it back in this dark without a light?" Crevy asked, with a touch of concern coloring her voice.
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Post by archenstone on Aug 18, 2008 16:27:07 GMT -5
She listened to the girl a briefly wondered how some one could be so energetic sounding at night. Must come with practice. She thought.
"I've been letting my runner make her way home. I can't see too well myself though. If I where on foot I'd have probably found somewhere to sleep instead of trying to make it back." Slowly but surely she started to notice other little aches and pains that where not noticed before. Well good I should be able to stay awake now. She felt the animal beneath her paw the ground. It seemed the she wanted her night's rest too. Asharra gently rubbed her neck with her hand and the animal let out a breath of air as it settled.
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Post by dragon on Aug 18, 2008 23:28:04 GMT -5
Crevy considered the animal that was being ridden, and shook her head slowly. "I do hope that it doesn't trip or anything horrible like that, in the dark. If you were any farther from the Hold I would suggest stopping for the night. But ... if your mount has any kind of spunk in it at all, you might be able to get there in short enough time. You just be really careful. The wild animals have been getting a little itchy of late ... my Crevesk has put down a few of them this past moon." she warned.
"You keep the flask, there. You might well need it more than I." Crevy gestured at the mentioned item. "Just arrive safely, alright? I'll get a new flask when I get back in the morning."
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Post by archenstone on Aug 21, 2008 18:40:06 GMT -5
Asharra's eyes narrowed slightly at the mention of wild animals. Have the creatures become so bad here She thought. She was warmed by the girl's thoughtfulness though. With a mind to go home she backed up the runner back to the road.
"Thank you Crevy. If you come in need of a healer send for me. I'd be glad to see you again. I should be able to make it back fine now." With the flask tucked in a pocket and runner's swinging gate Asharra soon rounded the hill and rode out of sight. That night she drank the flask dry and when arriving at her home she rubbed the runner down before taking care of her own needs. After a fresh warm bath and a relaxing herbal drink Asharra thankfully climbed into her furs. The small flask from the random girl sat cleaned in her kitchen and she fell asleep knowing she would return it soon.
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Post by dragon on Aug 24, 2008 15:25:43 GMT -5
Crevy stood there with her hands perched on her hips as she watched the older lady ride away on her steed. She hoped that the wildlife would be good this night, and leave them alone. It wasn't often that the creatures were a problem, but it was just often enough to justify a wher guarding this herd.
She turned back to the herd and Crevesk when she could no longer see the rider in the night. "Well, hon, that was a nice change of pace!" She said, before twirling about in the night air, dance-stepping her way back to the wher's side.
Crevesk just watched her lovingly in silence, waiting for her handler to stop again at her side. Once Crevy closed the last distance, and sat down again, the night went back to being the same old same old again.
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