EQUINE :: Cross Country Race, Round TWO (edited)

the Rift

EQUINE :: Cross Country Race, Round TWO (edited)

Lace the Silverthorn Posts: 459

Deceased atk: 5 | def: 9 | dam: 5.5

Stallion :: Equine :: 15.3 hh :: 14 HP: 65 | Buff: NOVICE

Fajira :: Plain White Dragon :: Fire Breath Chan

09-19-2012, 04:29 PM

LACE

Who, in his mind,
has not probed the dark water?

It had been a wise decision to save his strength, he felt that more and more for each kilometer engulfed by the long legs. Fajira had gone silent a while ago, instead directing her energies towards propelling her lithe frame through the air. The crossing from the heat of the Heart into the cooler Meadow had been pleasant, but in return it brought trickier footing with thick grasses tangling and whipping around the legs. It had been tempting to stretch out then, gain ground and fly past the teasing shapes of equines that ran before him, leave them behind like he had the tobiano stallion...

But he had held back, and now he was glad for it. Lace felt winded and knew that sweat was darkening the gleaming coat into a dull gray, soon to begin foaming by the crevices of his legs and everywhere that the skin rubbed against itself. He had strength still, it would take longer time to wear him out to the point where he couldn't run anymore. Just, there was no time or effort to waste on anything.

The steady rhythm of hooves upon earth slowed down somewhat as the grullo and his dragon left the open grassland behind and made their way in beneath the scattered trees that marked the outskirts of the Foothills and the beginning of the icy realm of the north. Trees and hidden rocks forced him to be more careful about where he placed the feet. He didn't want to risk tripping, or falling or stumbling over rocks and holes, and so allowed the pace to slow enough that golden eyes could spot any threats that appeared ahead of him. On the suggestion of the little White by his side Lace also kept an eye on the two competitors ahead of him, noting where they slowed down to round objects. Maybe not so bad to not be first... we can overtake them later on he noted to Fajira, who warbled quietly and veered off to round a tree, only to return back to fly next to him. It was nice to be together like this. They were never separated for long and their bond was strong and consuming, but even so they rarely took to playing games with one another. This was a good chance, a nice break from boring routine of foraging and traveling; Lace almost hoped that something would happen to let it all continue endlessly, without them growing tired or breathless.

Slowly, steadily, the air grew colder as they progressed further towards the northern parts of the realm. Sure is a land of contrast they thought together, amused by the change from dry pulsating heat to a wintry realm that froze the breath and created small clouds around the nose for each steady breath.

It was good thing that he was running, Lace thought. Otherwise the cold that was fierce enough to allow snow to rest on the ground would have been enough to freeze the sweat upon his back, thus cooling the muscles and make him stiff, shivering. White silk flew in a chilly wind enhanced in strength by his own speed, and he found himself missing the warm thickness of his winter coat. Hooves sank through the thin crust of snow with crunching sounds that sent a metaphorical chill down the spine. Orangemoon had progressed, soon it would be winter and hunger and darkness would make life difficult. Soon he would have to scrape the white matter from the ground to find grass, smash the creeks open to get to the water that ran beneath layers of ice. The weight put on by long hours of grazing would wane, until ribs hinted beneath taut muscle and a hollow belly, bringing along illness and weakness... Soon it would be Frostfall once more.

Soon, but not yet. He was still running, and with him was Fajira. Surrounding them were countless other horses that ran because they loved to run, competed for the pleasure and for the glory awarded to the winner.

Excitement rushed through him like a hot wave, made him shiver and snort wildly between ground-covering steps that swiftly brought him away from the bridge that connected the winter realm with the rest of the world. The earth changed once more beneath black hooves, repetitive patterns bringing constant change. The ground froze, the chill grew stronger and Lace found that he could pick up the pace once more. No mo snow hindered his movements, no grass or treacherous roots hidden by foliage to twist his legs.

He grinned wildly and took deeper breaths of the sweet, cool freshness in the air, called forth more speed from the working muscles that swelled beneath steaming skin. He ran, rounding the frozen arches of the tundra with a sense of delight brought by the vastness of the area. Something about the barren landscape and the endless horizon appealed to him at the very core of his being; clear of shadows and trickery, vast, open, unyielding to the whims of winds and sun. This place was never changing, constant and eternal.

He was saddened to have to leave it behind, and made a note to return there sometime when time allowed. For now, the soldier allowed the dragon, his souls bonded and constant light, to guide his way back towards the south, across the snowy bridge and back into Helovia once more.

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