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Post by Saturn on Aug 2, 2007 15:50:34 GMT -5
Manadhon laughed. He had never seen horses act this way before, let alone his own. This could get interesting.
"Let's try and get there fast," he said in a jovial tone, moving Sleipnir up beside Mishka, who he grazed up against. Manadhon knew that he had done that on purpose.
"These two want to play," he continued,"And I think that Sleipnir wants a rematch."
At that Sleipnir started to trot forward, almost as if he were dancing. This was really strange, but Manadhon was glad his friend was happy.
"I think these two may know the way a bit better than we," he said over his shoulder, smiling. He could always trust Sleipnir to get him where he needed to be. He only put reins on him to calm him down when he got overexcited....
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Post by zyphan on Aug 2, 2007 19:34:55 GMT -5
Nin smiled, watching her horse. "Yeah, I believe you're right." Leaning down along Mishka's whithers and neck, she whispered something into her horse's ear, and the mare took off, pausing a second beside Sleipnir before shooting past him at a full gallop. The ground had leveled off, and was hard, with no hint of rainfall except little puddles here and there.
Nilyn had given her horse all the reign she needed, and still lay down. She looked back to see what Manadhon's steed would do. The young Ranger could feel Mishka listening and watching her opponent, ready to make any quick actions to stay ahead.
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Post by Artorius on Aug 6, 2007 4:14:34 GMT -5
The rain began to fall as the ex-Ranger ran along the softening ground. His feet were like a blur, barely hitting the floor before pounding on to the next footstep.
'This is going to be one tough trip' he thought to himself. Keeping his hood up and pace quick the rain did not affect him much, he was used to it, but this one was alot fouler than normal rain and if he were a normal man could be drained and slowed within minutes in this downpour.
He was about 30 minutes from the groove, though with the uneven earth, and the threat of sinking it would take double the time to reach there...
He hoped the others were faring better than he was...
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Post by Saturn on Aug 9, 2007 15:37:39 GMT -5
Only a split second after Mishka passed him, Sleipnir increased his speed. He wasn't to far behind the mare. Manadhon could feel his friend's exertion and the excitement running through him. He wanted to beat this one and let her know he was not one to underestimate.
Soon, Sleipnir was running nose to nose with the wily mare, eyeing her warily for any tricks that may come. However, Manadhon knew that this was only the beginning of this because he could not only feel the fire within him, he saw it reflected in the eyes of the mare.
"These two really want to out do one anther," Manadhon said over the wind when the horses were flank to flank. He just hoped that the weather would not turn bad to soon. Little did he know his wish would not be granted....
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Post by zyphan on Aug 12, 2007 20:49:39 GMT -5
Nilyn smiled as she saw Sleipnir's nose fall in line with her mare's. "Yes, it seems they want to finish what was started earlier. Let's hope it doesn't get too danger- woah!!" On Nin's last few words, Mishka increased her speed, leaping over fallen trees, rocks, and thundering up and down the small rises and dips in the earth.
This time, she was determined to make Sleipnir work, not give up halfway through like before. Mishka cocked an ear in her opponent's direction, and kept an eye on his position, waiting for his next move.
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Post by Saturn on Aug 14, 2007 15:39:38 GMT -5
"What the ?!" Manadhon managed to say as Sleipnir decided to drop the pretenses. He was a proud horse, and he was not about to lose again because of his own arrogance in underestimating his opponent.
Manadhon sensed a change in his friend, one that he did not like. What he had not told the others is that Sleipnir was not a normal horse. He was descended from Shadowfax himself, the king of horses.
Sleipnir seemed to bulge to twice his size, only for a moment, and rocketed towards Mishka and Nilyn, passing them. He slowed himself about fifty yards ahead so as not to wear himself out, confident that he could hold that lead. However, Manadhon had seen only a little of what Mishka could do, and he had this sneaky suspicion that she could match Sleipnir...
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Post by zyphan on Aug 15, 2007 16:24:05 GMT -5
Mishka stayed back as Sleipnir raced past her, waiting for the perfect moment. She saw a clearing up ahead, and used this to her advantage. Digging in with her heels, she quickly gained on Sleipnir, and passed him just as the end of the grassy area brought them into the trees.
Doing just as the stallion did, she slowed when the two horses were a good distance apart. Leaping over fallen logs and running through the trees was easy for her; she had lived in this her whole life.
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Post by Saturn on Aug 16, 2007 15:43:30 GMT -5
Manadhon could tell that Sleipnir was getting frustrated, but he finally decided to reign him in.
"Sleipnir enough," he said pulling gently on the reins to calm him down.
The sky had darkened again a Manadhon knew that they were about to get hit again.
"Nilyn, we can't let our friends play any longer," he said, moving Sleipnir toward Mishka, with little resistance. However, he didn't notice.
"Do you think we are near where Artorius said to meet him?" he asked.....
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Post by zyphan on Aug 16, 2007 23:54:05 GMT -5
Nilyn pulled Mishka out of her strong gallop to trot easily beside the stallion. She looked around at her surroundings, realizing that she hadn't been keeping their direction in check. "Um...I don't recog-oh!! She had spotted a familiar-looking area not too far off, and turned her mare in the direction. "Artorius wanted to meet next to a grove, didn't he? I thought he said something like that...."
She stopped beside a small stream, and directly across sat a small hollow dug into the side of a mossy cliff by centuries of river water gushing through the valley. "Well....shall we wait here then? If it isn't the place, then....I don't know...."
Nilyn turned from Manadhon, and allowed her horse to drink from the cold stream, and surveying her surroundings for the fiftieth time since arriving at the place.
((is this okay for the meeting place? i didn't really know what artorius had in mind....))
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Post by Artorius on Aug 18, 2007 18:48:29 GMT -5
At first it sounded like thunder, but on closer listenening Artorius realised that it was the galloping of horse rushing past him. He knew they would not see him as they ran by, he was an ex-Ranger, but he still knew how to move unseen.
Due to the forests getting boggy he had to move himself closer to the road, a thing he hated doing as it took much longer to reach the point where he suggested he would meet his companions.
Around 5 minutes on he knew he was a few hundred meters from the meeting point... 'At last' he thought to himself. Rushing up to the grove he jumped out in a proud way, after only being about 15 minutes late due to the issues with path ways and secret bogs.
Throwing the peasant on the ground he looked at the pair, clearly quite comfortable sitting down, allowing there horses to drink and annoucing
'Well, glad to see you got here ok. But can I suggest we actually move into the grove as this place is still a bit in the open for my taste.'
Without waiting for the 2 horses and their owners Artorius walked up to what seemed to be a very large bush and called out
'Lasto beth nîn. Annon Edhellen edro hi ammen!'
What happened next gave the horses a bit of a fright, the trees lifted their branches and the bushes sank away revealing a small haven which within it contained a small table of Elven make, a place where campfires could be made and also a very clear silver stream. The corners were darkened and moss laden, clearly with the use sleep quarters in mind and also an area filled with fresh grass perfect for grazing for hungry horses.
'This is the grove I was talking about' he siad as he turned to the two... 'As you can see its of olde, one of the Elves last kept secret groves for there senturies who used to guard this wood... Now they have all gone West. Do not fear no one else knows of this place and the presence of foul magic cannot penetrate the barrier that guards this place. I recommend we rest here before the 2 day walk to Rivendell, the roads you see are now very soft and the weight of a horse and rider may cause sinking, we must be careful on our next step of the journey.'
He beckoned towards them to come in, focusing on Manadhon with pushy eyes hoping he would atleast trust him with one thing this age.
As the fellowship would enter the trees would lower there branches and the bushes would hide them in the grove until they were to move on.
'Now rest easy, have some food and some sleep. Tomorrow we shall talk about what to do next, beside your horses may benefit from some proper grass instead of the wirey forest weeds.'
He then threw off his pack into one of the corners and it seemed to the others he had done the same motion in the same way in this place several times before. Within a flick of a whip Artorius was asleep, cloak and overgarments tossed messily across the floor he sleepted with only his trousers on, shirtless and bootless as to enjoy the comforting moss as much as possible.
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Post by zyphan on Aug 19, 2007 20:42:31 GMT -5
Nilyn jumped a bit as Artorius appeared before her, but was startled even more as the forest greenery seemed to come alive. "Wow...." She couldn't help but stare at what appeared before her, hidden behind some magic spells.
Following the odd man into the cave, she averted her eyes as he shed some clothes and slept. Nilyn seated herself nearest the front on a rather spongy area of moss. Mishka set to munching on the grass, though she was not so hungry as to scarf it down. Being a Ranger's horse had made her hardy, and she didnt require as much food.
Nilyn noticed the mare getting restless, and realized she should probably take off her tack and comb her down. The horse's back steamed in the air as her saddle and blankets were removed, and immediately she felt better.
"Nice ride, eh? I never knew Mishka had it in her to race against another horse." Nilyn's horse had surprised her with the show of speed, but Sleipnir had astounded her as well with his ability to keep up. She watched Manadhon carefully, aware that he did not fully trust Artorius quite yet.
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Post by Saturn on Aug 20, 2007 15:16:53 GMT -5
Manadhon was a little surprised at the appearance of the man in such a manner. It seemed almost as if he had been showing off, at least to him. However, he did get him thinking that he had to keep his ears to the ground and stop letting Sliepnir distract him with this infatuation of his towards Mishka.
He had followed both into the grove, a little reluctantly, and watched as the man seemed to just basically pass out. How could a man just go to sleep so fast? He didn't dwell o9n it though, because he could tell that Sliepnir was tired and he quickly to off the saddle and saw steam rising from his back. He almost drop the saddle because it was so hot.
"OW!" he exclaimed as he threw it on the ground as Nilyn asked him.
"That was a nice ride," he said grinning at her and shaking his hands a little. The way that Sliepnir kept looking at him, it was almost like he was laughing at him. The shake of the horse's head proved it.
"Shut it!" he said to the horse in mock fury,"You were the one who wanted to chase her, not me."
He picked the brush out of his pack and started brushing Sliepnir, playfully slapping him with the brush when he started.
"I could have told you from the start that she was going to give you run as if you had a band of orcs on your tail," he said to the horse.
"He has the ego problem, it's been like that since he was a fold, and it has only gotten worse since then," he said to Nilyn, looking over his shoulder. He almost missed that one leg coming up aimed at his arm. Fortunately, he dodged.
As he moved aside from the kick, he glanced at Artorious before turning his attention back to Sliepnir and Nilyn. He just didn't trust magic.....
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Post by Artorius on Aug 21, 2007 3:44:53 GMT -5
(Artorius has no magical ability at all, its just a word - think of the 'Speak friend and enter' scenerio.)
The ex-Ranger was asleep for about 2 hours, his rest was one of mixed dreams... the first series was of times before he was a hunted man, with dreams of his wife and children, the laughter they shared. The nights he spent with his wife watching the stars on a flawless landscape. However his later dreams were ones that had cursed his thoughts since the slaughter of his family, only a nightmare which even he could not describe, the cruxcified remains of his children, his wife comminting suicide before him. Silent screams shook his body... He awoke in a sweat.
Remebering where he was and cursing the exhaustion which caused him to fall asleep so quick he quickly clothed his heavly scarred body and returned to the couple.
'I am sorry for my slumber, it seems I was more tired than I first thought.' He rubbed the sleep from his eyes and began to prepare a fire in the place which had seen many campfires before, the wood of the little grove burned well and hot. The pheasants were easily plucked and prepared and cooking to half the time due to the good quality of the fire wood. Handing out the helpings to the others Artorius began to tuck into the food, the run was a difficult one, even for a Dúnadan.
Watching the others, he began to wonder what they would do after they had found the book... he turned to Manadhon.
'Have you thought about he we will aquire said tome?. The elves will not just give it to us? I fear we may need to do something a little unorthadox to gain access to the book.' His words sounded dark. 'But im sure you have a good idea of what to do, leader.' No one could tell if his words were mocking or playful. 'But one good thing is I know of a good horse in Rivendell that one could probably 'borrow' for a time.' He chuckled and returned to eating his food.
He watched the others and wondered if the Rider would present a plan of action, Artorius always liked to see others tatics and learn how others worked with commanding units.
Artorius looked to the horses, he would enjoy being back on one soon. He was sure the Elves would not miss one horse, even if it was the messengers private horse, trained for travel and distances. He was also sure that if they did mind the group could be fairly quick out of the place with another item, maybe the size of a book, hidden in one of the riders saddlebags...
'Ahhh, thats good pheasant' he pulled out a pipe and began to smoke 'Tommorrow shall be an intresting day...'
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Post by zyphan on Aug 22, 2007 1:08:36 GMT -5
Seeing Manadhon in a better mood than before made Nin laugh as the man talked nonsense to his horse, who seemed to acknowledge these words with little care. "He seems to have a rather strong opinion, and spirit as well." Nilyn stood, and walked over to the stallion, very aware of Mishka's glaring amber gaze. "Is he around other horses much? The two of you seem to be quite the loners..."
Not noticing Artorius's movements once he awakened, the scent of burning wood startled Nin, and she whirled around, only to be relieved to see the new stranger tending to the pheasant and newly made fire. She stayed near Manadhon and his horse, watching the bird cook, wondering why this Artorius is being so kind.
When offered the bird, Nilyn took it with a small "thanks" and ate it slowly, savoring the warm meat. She had been living off cold, smoked meat, and dried fruit when she could find and/or buy it. "This's good." The young girl said, her mouth full of bird.
"Manadhon kind of dragged me into this whole ordeal, so I dunno what he's got planned..." Nin remember that fateful day when she was almost ran over by a stampeding Sleipnir, and smiles to herself, thinking of when she stood upon that knoll watching the man and his beast make camp. She looks to Manadhon, "What did you have planned for when we got to the city where that book is being held? I don't think we'll be able to just waltz in and grab it, if these Elves are all they're said to be."
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Post by drako11 on Sept 18, 2007 14:40:43 GMT -5
Dyrin sat on his haunches among a small cluster of bushes watching a small group eating and conversing around a fire. He had been following two of them for a couple days now, being a rather small elf he was able to get around in the woods easyily, this along with being a fast runner had put him up for the position as an elven scout. He had been out doing a routine border check a little ways outside of the elen border as requested, when two horses had come galloping by. He had hidden amongst some brush as they passed so they hadn't seen him. Since then he had followed them closely and carefully, watching their every move. Now this new stranger had appeared. Dyrin wasn't really sure what to do with the situation at the present, but pretty soon he would be going back to report to his leading officer. Until then he would just have to watch and wait. Dyrin snickered as he watched the travelers horses, he had always had a good sense of humor and loved watching horses. These two were especially funny horses. Forgetting where he was he laughed out loud at the horses antics. "AHHH!...Darn it Dyrin, now you've done it. He mentally berated himself. He sat still however hoping the travelers hadn't heard him.
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