No Hoof, No Runner

[cynath]

It was a warm day at Fort Hold. The slight breeze did little to cool the sweat of men and beasts alike. Jaizen was walking a messenger runnerbeast. The poor creature was so near exhaustion, he feared that it just might collapse. Some people. The dark forest swirl of eyes rolled at the thought as he paced the runner back and forth in the small space outside the stable.

Occasionally he'd offer the runner a drink, giving it consoling pats on it's neck. If he was a bolder man, he might have untacked and brushed the beast... god only knew how long some messengers took to deliver a simple three words. He was glad when the runner's breathing quieted, and it finally took a sip of the cool water he offered.

Perfect.

He tied it's reins to a ring designed for such as he checked each of it's legs and hooves in turn. Running trained fingers over the delicate leg bones before picking up the hoof to examine the sole and shoes. As they say, no hoof, no runner.

[thedreamerlady]

Dressed in a dark blue riding habit, Sulia was wandering the stable looking for her new favorite hand, Jaizen. He was nice to look at, and despite a lack of a formal education on riding, and runners, Jaizen knew enough to help her.

After having looked a good twenty minutes, Sulia spotted him near a runner she'd never seen before. There was nothing about the runner- brown, no distinguishable markings, with a good build, but nothing exceptional. It also looked exhausted, which most definitely meant it wasn't one directly belonging to Fort Major. It also meant that Jai could dump it on someone else, and help her- already, the heat was causing her to feel damp and sticky, and she wanted to ride north, into the forest, where it would be cooler. And without her Court either. She didn't want to deal with them.

"Jaizen! There you are, I was just looking for you. I don't suppose you have a recommendation for riding around trees?" While Sulia had favorite runners, she didn't have any directly belonging to her. She liked it better that way- if she got tired of one, she didn't have to find it someone else to keep it in shape. It meant that sometimes she had to wait longer, or ride a horse she wasn't used too- but Lady Sulia loved variety more than anything.

[cynath]

Jaizen looked up from the runner, letting the hoof drop solidly on the ground as he righted with an inviting smile, looking over the beast's rump at his favorite Lady.

"I might." He chuckled, stepping around the hind of the runner and tilting his head towards the main door of the stables where it was cooler in the shade. He waved a younger boy towards the brown standing placidly where he'd left it and ushered Sulia into the rows of stalls.

"Now... Milady, suppose you want a romp through the trees, or just a stroll?" he asked. He paused in front of a stall holding a small white runner, "Quick and agile," he said, continuing down the row, pausing again at a bay, "Slow and steady." He mused, smiling at Sulia, awaiting her answer.

[thedreamerlady]

"Bit of both. You know how it gets when you suddenly want to go faster, or when you want to go slow for a while. I suppose, I mostly want one who won't bolt." Looking down at her dress ruefully, she continued. "This isn't exactly the best dress for attempting to corral a recalcitrant runner, especially alone."

The lady could have killed her tongue for allowing it to slip that she was going alone. Though not as bad as some of the Holds, Fort had it's own share Holdless, though Sulia doubted they'd attack a woman, and even if they did, nothing about her truly gave away her status, and she could always use her jewelry to barter for freedom. Hoping that he wouldn't think too much on it(they didn't exactly hire for brains around here), Sulia thought quickly about one who would suit her needs.

"I think we have a bay who is long distance but if you keep her on shorter distances you can go fairly fast at times. Don't remember her name though." Sulia smiled up at Jaizen, confident he would remember who she was talking about.

[cynath]

Jaizen nodded. "I know the one." he mused. He didn't react right away that she was riding alone. Not yet. "Palina." He said, confirming that he did indeed know the beast. "I'll get her ready for you." He gave her a simple smile. "Stay there." he said strolling down the long row of stalls. Damned if the mare wasn't at the far end.

He slid a halter on the mare's head and led her back down the aisle towards Sulia. The beast was steady, but she gave a single prance down the aisle. "This the one?" he asked bring the beast to a halt where he'd left Sulia. He gave the beast a pat on the tilted star on her forehead.

[thedreamerlady]

"Exactly that one!" Sulia grinned happily, letting real emotion form her smile. "I don't suppose we could get her saddled up real quick?" Her eyes examined the runner in a way that her hands- the hands of a lady- could not. The lines on Palina were good, though she was no racer. The horse was a little older, Sulia could tell without even looking at her teeth, probably eight at the youngest, and probably happily retired for anything other than pleasure riding, or teaching young girls how to handle a larger runner.

In short, exactly perfect for what she was planning on doing.

"Make sure you saddle her for astride riding." Sulia added, after realizing that not all ladies rode astride ever, and she didn't ride astride with most of her court- unless they were hunting or the like. Jaizen might have known her preference, but it changed rather often.

[cynath]

Jaizen smiled at Sulia's real smile. Ahh yes, a woman who loved the beasts. It was wonderful. He gave the beast another pat, before looping the rope over a ring and grabbing a brush. Though the mare was clean a good brushing ensured all the fur was laying flat.

The bristles were stiff over the soft coat as the man worked quickly. Once he'd done that he quickly retrieved the saddle and appropriate harness. As he saddled the beast, glancing every so often at the Lady, he spoke finally on her riding alone. "I don't suppose you want company.." he trailed off tightening the cinch around the beast's belly. Dark green eyes glanced up at Sulia, over a somewhat devious smile. He hadn't gotten out riding in a couple days. All work and no play... as they say.

[thedreamerlady]

"Depends on whose company you're offering." If a lackey of a courtier was being foisted off on her, she'd rather not- but if Jaizen was offering, well, that would be different. He was off the radar enough that she could be herself without fear of repercussions. At least, she hoped he was. If he was the sort to bring gossip back with him, well, enough damage could be done with just the fact she'd been going riding alone. Who knew what lovers she might be meeting outside- though truly it was inside that she had more power.

She looked over Palina quickly, then took over fixing the stirrups herself. It was a job for the rider after all- Jaizen had no way of telling where her comfort level was. After they were on the perfect height(at least, she hoped they were), she took over the job of holding the bridle. Sulia was the one who was going to be riding the runner after all.

[cynath]

Jaizen chuckled lightly, handing off the bridle. "Well..... let me get Barzig." That was his offer. She could decline, or accept. Though.... he really hoped she'd accept. When she set about setting her own stirrups, Jaizen took the silence as a yes and went back down the aisle to his beast's stall. The small dark brown runner gave a soft nicker at his rider's approach.

The beast was soon standing behind the mare, Barzig was a placid mount. Well trained, and patient. Good thing for Jaizen. He brushed the second mount as quick as the first. He was silent while he worked, though his gaze ever strayed back to Sulia. A smile touched his lips whenever he watched her and when eh finally had both beasts ready, he moved to help Sulia. He did however, take a quick glance around before he reached around the Lady to pull her stirrups up another notch. It was his job to know that kinda stuff!

"Ready?" he asked over her shoulder, moving away after a moment with a grin. He waved a hand for her to go forward. He knew of some very decent trails not too far away.

[thedreamerlady]

Though she blushed slightly when he corrected her stirrups, Sulia said nothing, simply nodding, and moving forward, leading Palina forward, and out of the dusty stable. Mounting was accomplished easily enough, and her skirts were carefully arranged as to be demure, and classy.

"I haven't gone North in quite some time- any particular trails that are good up there?" Her head was tilted toward his, her face looking interested. "I don't want to be in a place too well traveled though- I need to relax." The last part wasn't said to loudly- to admit that she needed to relax, and that she would do so in the presence of a stablehand would be equally as damaging to her reputation.

[cynath]

Jaizen smiled lightly, holding the mare while his Lady mounted before he did so, in a far less.... elegant manner. First of all, he was taller, his mount shorter... and he didn't need to deal with the layers of clothing that Sulia did. As he reined Barzig up beside Palina, he glanced North, over the soft rolling hills to the dark strip of woods.

"Aye. Plenty of nice trails up there." he grinned. "My Lady." He added. He only used formalities when there were ears to hear them. And while they were still near the stable, there were plenty of ears. He nudged his runner forward with his heals, settling into a smooth trot-like pace, not too fast, not too slow. The path winding out of the stable yard was no place for horseplay... literally.

The stablehand glanced back over his shoulder at Sulia, lighter tones in his hair shining against the darker in the sunlight, his smile infectious. Perfect day for a ride! There were numerous hands out tending runners and work beasts, mending fences, feeding, all the usual works of a stable. Only a few bothered to watch the duo pass, but all cleared the path.

Jaizen was grateful that the path was dry and free of mud as it became quite sloppy and quite dangerous for the beast's footing otherwise. Dry ground gave plenty of traction for a good romp. Barzig gave a little prance, excited to be out, and Jaizen's riding was less than perfectly composed. He was an excellent rider, but that was just from experience. His posture wasn't stiff like a formal rider's, his position a little less balanced. As far as he was concerned, it didn't matter as long as you didn't hit the ground!

[thedreamerlady]

Sulia watched the older man with interest- he didn't ride like herself, or like those who she spend time with- his posture was atrocious, his pause before saying lady(while not directly effecting his riding, was very different than she was used too), everything about him screamed that he wasn't a courtier, that he didn't have a gilded tongue, and that he was safe.

It wasn't safe for her to be thinking like that, and so once they were out of sight of the other workers, Sulia searched for a safe topic that would show that Jaizen to be uncouth, and not someone safe at all.

The problem was, she had no idea what to talk about. Back when she'd been a maid there would have been a million things for her to comment on- but a Lady Holder couldn't be on the same level as a Lady's Maid. It was one of the rare occasions she wasn't sure what to say.

[cynath]

Jaizen found the silence comfortable, not really awkward. He was in his favorite place... on top of a runner. The addition of pretty lady was just a bonus! The silence also offered a service in not frightening away wildlife too quickly. As they neared the trees, more than one bundle of fur or feathers scurried for shelter.

He slowed Barzig to a walk at the opening of a trail, wide enough for two runners to travel abreast, the path smooth, save for a few divets where more anxious riders had run their mounts. The forest was fully mature, thick trees shading, limiting the growth of smaller plants under them. Rodents, reptiles, other creatures having made permanent homes in the woods.

Jai found himself at a loss, as the silence prolonged. Sulia wished to relax, she'd told him as much, and he felt asking silly questions of her life at court would disrupt the semblance of relaxation. "Did you care for a quicker pace? A short romp?" he asked, tilting his head back and around to watch her curiously. The question offered a double meaning, but it allowed for him to feel her mood, perhaps. Barzig was calm at a steady walk, placing each hoof with delicate care over logs and small bushes, his tail swishing occasionally at a pesky insect.

[thedreamerlady]

Sulia had been drowsing when Jaizen finally said something. Did she care to go quicker? Not exactly- and though her energy had been high before, she'd calmed, and didn't feel the need to get anything out of her system anymore.

"I'm fine, thank you- but." She paused, then continued. "What will we be seeing today?" Jaizen had chosen the trail, so obviously it had something going for it. "I mean, why did you choose this one?"

Her voice was clear, and she listened to the various calls of wildlife around. Most of the sounds belonged to creatures that she would recognize on sight, but the sounds left her with only a faint sense of what they could be.

[cynath]

Jaizen grinned secretly, tilting his head forward to watch the trail ahead once again. "That, Sulia, is a surprise." he chided lightly. He nudged Barzig into that same smooth gaited trot, the beast giving a snort at the work. The path winded in and out of massive trees for some time, birds calling overhead, warning smaller animals below of the intruders.

The path forked and Jaizen stayed to the left, and for a while the trail was boring, before opening up into a small meadow. Wild flowers grew in all colors, a small stream trickling through the heart of it all, a small stand of trees here and there. It gave all semblance to a paradise, with the sun shining and whatnot. A song bird added the effect as if cued. Perfect. The grass grew lush under the beasts' hooves as Jai pulled his beast to a halt to take in the sight. One of his favorite places.... Now and possibly forever.

He looked back at Sulia to take in her reaction. How could a place not take her breath away?