| Logs |
2011 March 07
| Neverneverwhere |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
 |
| Realms: Taps Logs |
His Neck Clothed with Thunder
Roy gives 'Chana one more kiss, then regretfully points Hermoso back toward the main path so people don't worry, "You comin' 'long?"
Sulochana hesitates for a second, looking down at herself. She's damp from splashing water, and there's silt left on the lower half of her hanging skirt, where it was soaked. Tybalt too is looking a bit browner than black in places. She grins at Roy, "Definitely, sweet man! But give me just a second to stretch and wring out my skirt, and to let poor Tybalt have a drink, all right? I'll catch up to you." She pats the horse's sweaty neck, "He sure earned a breather." She grins ruefully, adding, "I really hope your people can clean this gorgeous habit. I'm afraid hunting is much harder on... on equipage than I'd realized!" She giggles, her eyes sparkling as she notices how handsome Roy looks, even tired and mud-splashed.
Roy chuckles and says, "Oh, we'll get it clean, cherie. It's meant to be hunted in, after all, an' mud is parta huntin'." He brushes her cheek with the backs of his fingers, "I'll leave ya to it, then. Think you can find yer way back to where we cut off from the other folks?"
Sulochana sighs happily, her head leaning a bit into the caress even without meaning to. She smiles and nods, "Oh, certes, sweetheart. Not only do horses always know the way home, but I can follow the trail too. I'll be back before you know it!" They left quite a trail, so it shouldn't be hard. She grins, already tying a loose knot in the reins so they don't slide over her mount's neck, and waves, "Shoo, go be all majestic or something so they don't send Jacko out after you!" Roy laughs and clucks to Hermoso, heading back along the very obvious trail. Watching him go, 'Chana giggles happily as Tybalt steps forward into the stream so his front legs are in the water. He stretches out his neck and has a few thirsty slurps.
Tybalt knows when to stop drinking, and he pauses a bit to catch his breath. He is doing well not to prance in place. It's been a while since he was so close to being in a battle! The adrenaline is flowing and he finds he wants to gallop around. Sulochana, on the other hand, sighs, putting her gloved hands on the small of her back and arching it to stretch a bit. She's had a perfectly wonderful day, but she's also worked very hard at riding, using muscles she doesn't usually use.
Sulochana laughs softly, murmuring to the big horse, "Going to sleep like a log tonight! Might be a bit achy in the morning too." She leans to gather up her skirt, then wriggles a bit as she realizes she's magically held quite firmly to the saddle, "Sweetie, could you loosen up that hold-tight thingie you have, just a bit? I can't quite lean far enough to easily reach my skirt." She drops her stirrup and stretches her arms over her head, adding with a tired smile, "Thanks for taking such good care of me, too, dear."
Tybalt paws at the ground once to indicate he can loosen up on the hold-tight and 'Chana can feel it let go. The big horse is almost glowing with pride. His Lady is proud of him -- and thanking him! He whickers amusedly at her comment about being achy and sore. Even experienced riders are a little sore after a vigorous hunt -- and this one was quite vigorous! Sulochana sighs and wriggles a bit again, "Perfect... thanks, dear." She first straightens out both legs, stretching them as well and pointing her booted toes. Then, casually relaxed and not really hooked into the saddle any more, she leans over and gathers up her sodden skirt. Her voice is wry as she starts wringing it out, "Dear Lady but we get messy doing this! Can't remember being this wet and muddy since I fell overboard on the Big Muddy a few years ago."
The big stallion lowers his head to take another drink as 'Chana leans out over her skirt -- and there's a growl from the underbrush next to Tybalt's head. The big stallion shies violently, forgetting in his startlement that his Lady Edana is not being held on to him by his magic any more. The Hetaera is abruptly sitting on air as the horse nearly disappears out from under her! She's already twisting, trying to grab something to hold on to, as she falls. Before she can even squeak she hits the soft, muddy ground with a thud -- and her head bangs against a fallen log. She's dazed for an instant, blinking groggily as she tries to figure out what happened.
Prone as she is, the bear looks enormous when it stands up out of the brush. It's large for a black bear and easily twice her weight, its muzzle pulled back in an angry snarl. It was hurt and startled before by the dogs and Tybalt's lashing hooves; now it is very, very angry. Sulochana gasps, then goes very still where she's sprawled. She has no idea if the bear can see her, but she knows better than to run from one. She's steeling herself to utterly ruin her lovely gift from Roy so as to shift into tiger form and save her life -- and then the question is abruptly taken out of her hands.
Behind her Tybalt has whirled in equine horror: not only has he dumped His Lady Edana -- but she's in danger! He rocks back on his hind legs for just a moment, his jaws opening, and an actual roar of rage bellows forth from him -- as he charges forward at a gallop! He throws himself in a frenzy of flashing hooves and teeth at the bear, trying to knock it away from His Lady and trample it to death. Sulochana stays frozen for an awed heartbeat; she's never heard a horse make that noise in her entire life! Then she recovers herself, scrambling to her feet and backing hastily away with the heavy, wet skirt caught up over one arm, gasping in shock and fright and worry.
Not so very far away, Roy too can hear that equine roar -- and he knows quite well what it signifies. He yells towards the Huntsman and the hounds, "Billy Ray, free de houn's!" as he yanks Hermoso around, galloping madly back to where he left his beloved -- where the screams and snarls of battle are now rising. The Huntsman and the hounds aren't far off and Billy Ray lifts his horn to his mouth, trumpeting them into action. Also not far away is what looks to the untrained eye to simply be an outsized wolf. Those that know him, however, would easily recognize Guy's lupine form as he comes loping through the forest to the battle.
Roy, being closest, is first back to the stream and he leans down nearly far enough to fall out of the saddle, scooping Sulochana up and across his lap, swearing in his Cajun patois the whole time. Sulochana looks up alertly as Roy comes thundering up, and reaches for him with both arms, springing up as he hauls her forward. She sighs in relief once she's on a horse again, wriggling around enough that she can see the terrible, splashing, bloody fight. Roy's arm is tight around her waist as she leans forward, calling anxiously, "Tybalt, Tybalt, I'm safe! You don't have to endanger yourself any more, dear!" Roy's eyes too are wide as he watches the enormous warhorse battling the furious bear.
No one but the Huntsman actually came to the hunt armed with anything other than whips and, in a few cases, small hunting knives. Billy Ray, however, has a crossbow and he whips it up as soon as he's within sight of the bear and the stallion. Silver and black flash and rear as Tybalt stomps and bites at the ursine. It tried to harm his Lady Edana -- that will not be borne!
Sulochana watches with eyes wide in worry, one fist pressed to her mouth. She can tell the big stallion either isn't listening or can't hear her. She wants to draw him away, but she's afraid an order would cause him to drop his guard enough that the bear can do some real damage to the big stallion. She hesitates, then compromises -- she yanks off one glove and puts her fingers to her mouth, giving a loud, sharp whistle! Then she calls again, "Tybalt! It's all right now!" Roy looks at her cockeyed. Tybalt may be a good horse, but he's a horse -- they don't really speak English.
Tybalt isn't hearing her, anyway. His ears are filled with the pounding of his own blood and the pained roaring of the bear. Here and there on his shining black coat are splashes of his own blood, but he was not trained as a warhorse for nothing. His weighted hooves flash as he rears and screams, his teeth snapping. Sulochana swears softly, really worried now.
Just as Tybalt's front hooves come down on the bear's foreleg with a heavy, crunching thud, the dogs arrive in a galloping, almost silent rush, swarming over the bear with an excited roar. The creature squeals in pain and then crumples to the ground, writhing. The big wolf that joins the pack is almost unnoticed, since the dogs are used to his scent. Roy sees him, however, and makes a note to give Guy some sort of thanks when he sees the young man later.
Bears are notoriously hard to take down: they're hardy, and their thick fur combined with layers of fat and muscle can make it hard to get to anything really vital. Several of the dogs limp away, yelping, from the churning, snarling fight. Billy Ray's crossbow stays at the ready should the bear somehow win free of the pack. The big stallion, snorting fiercely, has to back away a bit or risk crushing one of his eager canine allies. Sulochana calls again, "Tybalt? Please come away?" Tybalt glances around, his head high and the short-knotted reins flying -- there's blood splashed liberally on his dark-furred body, although most of it isn't his. He glances back at the dying bear, unwilling to stop yet when his opponent isn't completely downed -- then his head whips around again in shock at the sheer unfairness: His Lady is in Roy's lap!
Tybalt is angry as he moves over, hooves raising high and snapping down into the churned-up earth. He was the one protecting his Lady. He is the one that's clawed up and bloody -- and yet Roy is looking like the hero?! Unthinking, the big stallion snaps at Hermoso in his pique. Sulochana gasps, drawing her small booted feet up higher, "Tybalt! What are you doing? Behave yourself!" She flourishes the dressage whip at him -- somehow in all the floundering the wrist strap has stayed whole. "Shame on you!" She's careful not to hit him, though -- if he reacts like she does after a fight, this is probably nothing more than just adrenaline and instinct, she knows.
Tybalt abruptly shies away at that, ears drooping and tail low; the adrenaline has cleared enough for him to realize she is really Not Happy with him. He's trembling with reaction. The Hetaera sighs, holding out an arm, "Oh, sweetie, don't be sad. You did a wonderful job -- you likely saved my life." She wriggles to get down, and Roy tightens his grip about her waist, growling, "Naw, you ain't gittin' down till we sure dat bear ain't nuthin' but a bearskin!"
Nearby, the bear is nearly down for the count and the Huntsman is trying to call off the dogs -- when the outsized wolf among the pack darts in, powerful jaws clamping down on the bear's throat, ripping through the thick flesh and tearing away the last vestiges of its life. Billy Ray is able to get the dogs off when the bear goes limp, and he puts a crossbow bolt through its head for good measure before dismounting to check the panting, bloody, excited dogs.
Sulochana opens her mouth to argue with Roy -- then blinks as she realizes he's right. She grins sheepishly at him, "Good point; sorry, sweet man." She leans forward, holding out her arm again and calling, "C'mere, Tybalt. Let me give you a thank you hug." The big black stallion clops over somewhat morosely, and rests his big head in her lap. His big brown eyes roll to glance at her and he sighs gustily, starting to relax even though he's still shaking with reaction. The Hetaera strokes his bloody head gently, indifferent to the blood it gets on her fine gloves as she croons reassuringly to him.
Roy's eyes narrow. Horses just don't do that sort of thing -- especially a big, fractious stallion. The king has to hold Hermoso tightly in check to keep the Lipizzaner from shying as 'Chana hugs the horse. His eyes stray along the big animal's neck thoughtfully. Now he's had a chance to see it a few times, he's sure he's seen the beast before. Two things make it finally click into place: the silver rings above the hooves and the silken tie he can now see under the beast's bridle. "Tybalt" is none other than Queen Eloise's mighty and renowned warhorse Killian. Eloise had found the name amusing, meaning "little warrior" as it did. Killian... Tybalt... has never been small.
...and Tybalt is wearing the same piece of silk which King Eacharn was fingering so longingly during negotiations the day before! Roy feels a bit dizzy as the pieces fit into place; he lowers his voice enough that only 'Chana and the two stallions can hear him, "Damn. Always wunnered why Eacharn was never seen ta fight."
Sulochana looks up confusedly from where she's still soothing the big stallion, "What, lover?" A heartbeat later she blinks, registering where Roy is looking. She draws in her breath, her small hands stilling on Tybalt's broad forehead, and the stallion lifts his head from 'Chana's lap, his ears semaphoring as he tries to figure out what's spooking the two humans.
Roy's voice is soft and amazed, "Eacharn. He never fought at Eloise's side. Allus wunnered why. It's 'cause he was unner her the whole time..."
The big stallion snorts, his eyes wide and his head coming up abruptly at that. The Hetaera sighs, then says softly, "I... you figured it out? I'm sorry, sweet man, for not telling you." She leans her head against Roy's shoulder, "I wasn't going to lie to you, but I didn't want to betray his secret either -- especially when it didn't endanger you." She thinks a moment, then smiles faintly, "Maybe you both should promise not to tell on the other now, yes?"
Roy smirks wryly and strokes 'Chana's hair, "Yeah, I think I can han'le that. He did see the thang with the water earlier, di'n't he?" Sulochana nods and sighs again, almost going limp with relief and pleasure in Roy's arms at the simple, much-loved kindness. Before the conversation can go any further, though, Billy Ray calls over, "Yer Majesty? Bear's dead!"
Tybalt is quivering again, tempted to flee. The Hetaera whispers to the stallion, under the cheerful congratulations and barks and howls that follow, "Easy, sweetie! Unless you'd rather I don't, I would like to ride you back, all right?" Tybalt was starting to get twitchy and unhappy -- until his Lady says she'd like to ride him again. He shifts his weight a little, testing himself to see if he's safe for her to ride. The injuries inflicted by the bear are relatively minor; he will be a little lame, but he will proudly carry her! He clops around carefully so Roy can transfer her directly into the saddle.
The Hetaera laughs softly, leaning to pat the big horse's neck, "Hold on, sweetie -- give me a moment!" She reaches up to cup Roy's cheek and give him an affectionate kiss, murmuring, "Thank you, lover, for taking this so well." She grins mischievously, adding, "Better than I took it, I guess!" and giggles. Roy helps her carefully wriggle over onto the big stallion's back, then lift out the heavy, wet skirt so 'Chana can re-set her legs where they belong on the saddle, and slip one booted foot into the stirrup again. After that she unties the reins and smiles tiredly as she pats the big stallion's neck, "Can we just walk back, guys, please?"
Roy smirks a little and keeps his voice low, "I'm likely ta do a lotta swearin' an' starin' later. Right now 'm jest glad you ain't hurt..." He slides off Hermoso's back and transforms as he does into the hale and blithe rogue king, cheerfully shouting, "Let's get this fucker field-dressed an' skinned, ya'll!"
'Chana blinks, then sighs and smiles -- she'd forgotten about that part of a hunt. She thinks a moment, then murmurs to Tybalt, "You know, I bet they can do that part fine on their own. Let's rinse you off a bit and see how you're doing. I'm trusting most of this blood isn't yours, after all." She carefully angles the big stallion over to stand by the fallen log she hit her head on, then slowly and tiredly slides down off Tybalt to stand on the log. When the big, growling, bristle-coated wolf looks up and sniffs intently at her, she smiles and salutes him with the head of the dressage whip, "Guy, I presume, yes?" The big black stallion's head snaps around at the growl, his teeth bared and his ears flattened in silent warning at the big wolf -- but it's actually the muddy, dinky girl who causes the wolf to abruptly drop his head and tail and hastily trot around to the far side of Roy!
Tybalt's ears are still laid back -- he's really not too happy about being recognized. There is a lot of fuss around the bear as the men start to field dress it. Guy peers around Roy at 'Chana, looking as shamefaced as a big damn wolf can. The tired Hetaera giggles softly at Guy, calling quietly, "No worries, Guy, really!" After that she pulls off her gloves and takes the reins, coaxing the still somewhat unhappy stallion to walk back out into the stream so she can splash water over his legs, belly, and muzzle. She's trying to rinse off the blood, her soft voice reassuring as she almost sing-songs to the big horse.
Tybalt is a little antsy at first, but he relaxes as the tacky, stinky mud and blood are rinsed off him, and his Lady fusses over him so nicely. 'Chana is aghast at the handful of long, shallow scratches on the stallion's body, and she does her best to either bandage or medicate them with the tiny kit she managed to pack. She will gladly fuss over Tybalt for as long as dealing with the bear takes, and she's careful to quietly let him know she's quite aware -- and grateful -- that he saved her life. That causes him to holds his head higher and swish his tail. He did well! She's proud of him!
Sulochana ends up leaning against his shoulder, tiredly hugging him as she thanks him again. The big stallion cranes his head around to lip carefully at her hair, and she whispers while his head is close to hers, "I hope you're not mad at me for talking to you like a person, before -- I was so scared you'd get hurt!" She strokes his long nose, adding quietly, "I would never have forgiven myself if I'd gotten you seriously injured." Tybalt nudges her shoulder gently with his nose; he's not angry.
She smiles tiredly, pushing her hair back out of her face as she looks up towards Tybalt's back. Hesitantly she says, "I know I'm asking a lot, sweetie, but... well... are you too achy to kneel?" Ruefully she adds, "It's a long way up to your back. Hmm... although... we could try that log again, if you're hurting?" Tybalt doesn't even think twice, going to his knees in the water so his Lady Edana can mount; he would do it even were he much more badly hurt. She laughs tiredly, patting his shoulder as she clambers carefully back up, "Thank you, dear. I really appreciate this." Tybalt rises from his knees with a little wobble, but stands steady once he's up. The Hetaera leans to lay along his neck, resting her cheek on her hand as she rests a bit while waiting for the others.
[Previous Log] [Index] [Next Log]