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Post by Coffie-Buzz on Jan 9, 2016 21:15:12 GMT -6
Chirin - BlackBee23
Soriano - DaretoDream12423
Setting:
Mid-Summer, Year 1700
The sun is just starting to disappear behind Mt.Skeldr's peak. The sky carries signs of an approaching summer storm to the west but is otherwise void of clouds. The first early stars can be seen on the horizon towards the Briem herd lands.
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Post by Coffie-Buzz on Jan 9, 2016 21:55:44 GMT -6
It was getting dark. Chirin stole a glance at the rose colored sky as he lead his flock along the river at a steady trot. He had departed from Froya's Clan a few weeks ago. He'll meet back up with them after the first two weeks of snow fell on the ground. But now it was summer and Chirin had to be careful. A flock like his would attract some unwanted attention if he wasn't vigilant.
Maple bounded through the tall grass, keeping the Apanas from straying to close to the river's edge. The colt laughed at her deer-ish behavior and whistled at her. It was a gentile whistle but commanding all the same. The grass shook as she darted through it, barking at the Apanas and pushing them towards a grove of Alder trees. The flock needed shelter for the night. Tall grass like this would be their downfall should a predator decide to start hunting them. They wouldn't know they were being hunted until it was to late.
A rumble echoed to his left and Chirin turned to see large, angry storm clouds. He was even more thankful for the shelter of those trees now. That rain wouldn't come down gentile. He whistled to Maple again and the flock moved into a canter, reaching the safety of the trees quicker. Maple had been here dozens of times before. Immediately she herded the Apanas into the center of the Alder grove, running circles around them until they stopped. The flock knew this was a resting place and settled down in the soft, short grass with in minutes, munching on the tender summer shoots.
Chirin walked over to the two trees that stood side-by-side in the middle of the clearing. He gave them both a happy smile, “Hi again. Sorry we are late, but I was learning some new things about Herding from a friend's Clan,” he explained softly, a slight breeze rustling the leaves, “I made my first trip to the Market last year. I met a mare named Froya and she offered me sanctuary with her Clan. I like her. She's a bit rough around the edges, but Maple likes her so I guess she can't be all that bad.”
He looked at the Black Ironwood tree to his left, “Froya's father used to be a Shield, dad, and Froya herself has beaten a Snow Leopard before. I'm thinking about asking him to teach me how to fight. He's taught Froya and I've watched her train. She's really good,” he then cast an apologetic look to the Sugar Maple on his right, “I know you might think I'm to young to learn to fight, mom, but I need to learn if I'm ever going to be able to defend myself or the flock. I hope you're not upset with me.”
Maple's bark startled him as a twig in the forest snapped. Chirin spun around and stared in the direction of the noise, telling Maple to hush. She quieted and he could hear something walking. Someone was there.
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Post by DaretoDream0 on Jan 9, 2016 22:07:51 GMT -6
Soriano looked to rumbling storm clouds, having stayed mostly ahead of the impending storm on his warm back from Briem. He only had a light load of his wares, as he had left the rest at home to pick up after the Flower Festival that was just around the corner. He picked up into a fast trot, keeping his eyes open for the forest in the valley of Skeldr Mount.
His dark ears were flicking around, making sure that nothing was to come after him. The rosy sky was always a time to make camp, but he hadn't seen a good spot to put up his tent quite yet. He once again looked back to the storm clouds. The stocky stallion came to a small bridge, but had no time to stop. He looked up and down the river. Soriano caught the soft, barks of a dog.
"Maybe it's someone's familiar?" He wondered out loud. He made his decision and trotted towards, no longer gaining ground against the storm. He snorted softly as a grove came into sight. The Alder's would give good protection against the coming storm, but the cautious stallion would still put up his tent. You could never be to careful with storms.
As Soriano got closer to Alder grove, he could hear someone talking. Only hearing one voice, he was a little confused as to why they would be talking. The bark of the dog he heard earlier came. As the dark stallion got closer to the grove, he missed a twig and stepped on it. The feathering on his hooves not muffling the sound. He flinched a little.
"Sorry to startle," Soriano said, coming close enough to the grove that he could be seen. "But I am looking for a safe place to rest for the night. I doubt I can go any father before being caught by the storm."
Word Count: 317
Overall: 317
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Post by Coffie-Buzz on Jan 9, 2016 22:32:32 GMT -6
Chirin saw Maple cock her head to one side out of the corner of his eye when the new horse spoke. He took a few steps forward to get a better look at him. The darkening sky cast the Alder grove into a shadow and the stallion's dark coat didn't make it very easy to see him, but he could make out his white markings, which helped.
“Umm.. Sure, it's okay if you camp here. She won't bite and the flock should leave you alone. The worst the Maple will do is bark at you.” he said in a shy voice. He had been surprised that anyone was out here, but he knew not all War-Forged horses stayed in one place. Himself being a primary example.
But Chirin didn't recognize this stallion, though there was something familiar about him, he just couldn't quite place it.
“Maple, fuss.” he ordered. The small dog obeyed and trotted over to sit at his back hooves. The colt looked back at the newcomer, “Your more than welcome to join us. I know how bad those rains can be.”
Word Count: 184
RP Total: 1008
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Post by DaretoDream0 on Jan 9, 2016 22:42:05 GMT -6
"Thank you, young sir," Soriano said, fully making his way into the grove. He looked to Maple with his golden orange eyes. "She's very cute," he said with a gentle smile. "I'm not very worried about being disturbed." He smiled at Chirin before taking his bag off.
Soriano began to set up a decent sized tent, humming a little while he worked. He looked the red roan colt. "Might I ask your name? Mine is Sorino," he said, his eyes looking into Chirin's green ones. He laid down in his tent, his head peeking out of the opening.
"And the rains by Talori can be worse, being so close to the sea and all. Though, they have beautiful shells," he said. His eyes looked over the flock that Chirin had, noticing that they all had white wool, or at least, mostly white.
"You command a beautiful flock of Apanas as well," he said. His orange orbs going back to Chirin. "I haven't seen many of the Herders with an all white flock before. Being that they are too worried that they would be lost in the snow." He looked to Maple. "But with a dog by your side, it must be a little easier to keep track of them during snowfalls."
Word Count: 213
Overall: 530
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Post by Coffie-Buzz on Jan 9, 2016 23:32:21 GMT -6
Chirin smiled at how polite the new horse was being. Not many would be that way and it made him more comfortable towards him, “Thank you. The last time she met someone new, she growled at them though.” he said with amusement in his voice as he walked over to lay with his flock across from the stallion, “My name is Chirin, but you can call me 'Chi' if you want. It's nice to meet you.”
The colts ears pricked at the mention of another herd, “Talori... those are the Fish Horses right? I've never seen their shells, so I'll take your word for it.” he smiled as Maple inched towards the tent Soriano had just finished settling into, sniffing at him and wagging her fluffy tail a bit.
“Haha. I don't command anything. I'd be a soldier if I did that," he laughed, "All I do is guide them a keep them safe. I prefer white wools because they fetch a higher price at the market. It requires less work to color them to they hold a higher value.” he swished his tail, “But yeah, Maple can sniff them out pretty well. But she's short. She gets stuck in deep snow sometimes.” Chirin smiled a bit as the memory popped into his head.
The thunder rumbled much closer now and it sent Maple straight into the tent with her tail between her legs.
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Post by DaretoDream0 on Jan 9, 2016 23:59:07 GMT -6
"You may call me Sori," Soriano said with a gentle smile. "It's nice to meet you as well." Soriano was quite for a few moments, thinking over what Chirin had said. He looked at Maple as she came into the tent, chuckling softly as she did.
"She doesn't like thunder, does she?" He asked Chirin. "And you do command something. You need a strong, yet gentle hand to deal with Apanas, much like Nyra did." Sori smiled at Chirin. "They would be proud of you, so don't doubt it for a second."
Soriano looked at Chirin. "I almost mistook you for a tiny Rowan, but after hearing your name, you really are a tiny version of Rowan." Sori chuckled a little bit. He looked past his tent to the storm clouds, but his ears swiveled around to a different type of rumble. The dark stallion ignored it though, and looked back to Chirin.
"If you want, you could join us in the tent, there is plenty of room," Soriano said. A flash of lightning caught his eye. "The storm will be upon us soon," he said. And I fear that that won't be the only thing upon us by nightfall.
Word Count: 202
Overall: 732
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Post by Coffie-Buzz on Jan 10, 2016 0:40:41 GMT -6
Chirin gave Sori a shocked look, eyes wide, “You knew my mom and dad?” he asked, casting a glance to the two trees he had spoken to earlier, “I wish I was half the stallion my father was, even if he never spoke to me that much. I really don't think I deserve to be compared to him.” he told the dark stallion.
Chirin gave a weak smile at his offer, “No thank you. I often don't have much shelter, so the wind and rain will make my winter coat even thicker. Besides I have to make sure the Apanas don't bolt.”
He gestured to the two saplings, “Mom and dad are over there if you want to go say hello to them later. I'm the only one who really talks to them, so I'm sure they'd like it if you did.”
The colt's ear flicked behind him. He frowned and listened harder. The rain was practically on top of them but there was something else. The Apana closest to him jumped up and the rest followed soon after. Something was scaring them. It wasn't the storm, he knew that. They had experienced a thunder storm before.
Getting up, Chirin turned to the forest behind him as Maple suddenly dashed to his side, abandoning the tent, barking and bearing her teeth at the bushes. He felt the raindrops begin to pelt his short, curly fur. The Apanas fidgeted and bleated fearfully, but stayed together. Chirin squinted through the harsh rain, trying to make out what was there. He could hear movement, but just barely.
Lightning shattered the darkened sky, the growl of thunder following in mere moments. Chirin felt his blood run cold when a second bolt of lightning lit up the forest. He saw the light bend around their forms, their reflective yellow eyes flashed briefly.
There were at least six of them, and those were the ones he could see. Gods know how many more were out there.
He froze in fear and stared at them as they crept closer.
Wolves.
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Post by DaretoDream0 on Jan 10, 2016 18:30:21 GMT -6
Soriano smiled at Chirin. "I think I'll start stopping by on my way from Briem," he said. His ears flicked to the Apanas as they stood and left the tent shortly after Maple did. He kept his head low and ears back as the rain came down, making his already dark coat black.
Soriano's eyes flashed as the lightning did, revealing to them their company. He snorted and looked at all of them. "You're more than half the stallion your dad was. After all, you haven't stopped caring about your duties," he said to Chirin as he kept his eyes on the wolves.
"They're going to attack. The Apanas look like easy prey, with us simply standing in their way," Soriano said with a soft snort. "But War Forged are always a force to be reckoned with." Sori flashed a quick smile at Chirin. "I believe we can take them down without losing a single Apana, or ourselves."
"Let Kaia and Alya protect us this stormy night," Soriano said, watching the wolves creep closer to them. "And lend us the strength to protect our wares and lives."
Another flash of lightning revealed several more wolves than the original six. "We're really going to need any protection that they give us," Soriano said, narrowing his orange eyes.
He looked to Chirin. "Are you ready to do this?" He asked the colt.
Word Count: 232
Overall: 964
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Post by Coffie-Buzz on Jan 10, 2016 19:54:57 GMT -6
Chirin felt his heart pounding in his chest. He heard what Soriano had said, but the words simply passed right through him. The only parts he caught were the parts about the two Goddesses. Chirin took a few steps back, as a wolf entered the clearing, wanting to run. He had to run. He would never survive an attack by a Wolf pack this big, “I can't.” he breathed, his fear stripping him of his bravery he prided himself so much on. The wolf jumped and he bolted, a pitched whistle ordering Maple to herd the Apanas out. She obeyed but the flock was immediately pursued by three of the wolves.
“No!” he shouted skidding to a stop and chasing after them. He was able to reach the two trees that marked the graves of his parents when a dark pelted wolf blindsided him, biting hard on his throat and dragging him to the ground. Another jumped on top of him, ripping into his side with it's crushing jaws. The two raked their claws along his hide, slicing deep into the skin.
Chirin felt the wolf at his throat begin to tug, trying to rip it open. His eyes drifted upwards to his father's Ironwood. It stood strong, unyielding. Defiant to the abuse of the storm.
A memory flashed through the young colts mind. His father had scaled Mt. Skeldr and had visited the temple of Kaia. He had said that, on the tile beneath her statue, was an inscription.
My children, you bow before none, for it is the mighty earth that lends you it's strength, and that shapes your destiny.
The colt snorted, kicking his legs and nailing a wolf in the side, hearing it yelp in pain. He turned his head and bit the one at his neck. It lurched back in pain, taking a chunk of his throat with it. Chirin yelped in pain as he felt his own blood stain the grass and his fur. A new wolf tore at his tail, cutting it.
Those who stand in the way of that destiny shall be crushed.
He kicked his legs again, beating off the wolf at his side. He forced himself to his feet. He stood in a widened stance, head low and ears pined. His green eyes blazed and the thunder shook the ground. The three wolves snapped and growled at him, trying to make him run. They stood around him, teeth bared, preparing to attack again.
Chirin struck the ground with his hoof, snorting loudly.
'Bring it on.' he thought.
He was War-Forged. They never run away from a fight. No matter how hard the Wind howls, the Mountain does not bow to it. These wolves were mere stones beneath his hooves and he would see that they got the message.
You are of me and you will be great.
Word Count: 477
RP Total: 2702
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Post by DaretoDream0 on Jan 12, 2016 23:16:03 GMT -6
Soriano looked to Chirin. His eyes flicked back to the wolves that were entering the clearing. Just great, he thought, standing his ground. He started to go after the ones that were heading towards Chirin, but was stopped when he had trouble of his own to deal with.
Soriano made some sort of growling sound in the back of his throat. He was shocked himself that he had made it. A few of the wolves in the grove backed away, but it didn't intimidate them all. Four of the wolves went after the dark stallion, but Soriano reared up and slammed back down on the ground, catching one of the wolves under his dark hooves.
The dark stallion snorted and looked to the other wolves around him, his golden eyes blazing. Soriano looked over to Chirin, a fighting fire seemed to have been light in the young stallion's heart. Soriano smiled a little bit and went after a wolf in front of him.
The wolves around Soriano formed a circle and began closing in on the stocky stallion. Soriano snorted, slightly worried as they did. He reared up again, but this times the wolves had backed up to avoided his hooves.
Damn, he thought, as he came back down. In the same moment, a wolf jumped onto his back, while another lunged for his throat. He bucked to get the two wolves off, only managing to loosen their grips. The orange eyed stallion reared up as soon has his hind hooves had touched the ground.
Word Count: 257
Overall: 1221
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