Watching Caleb defend himself before Thranduil's carefully focused gaze had been a distinct and strange opportunity—watching the golden respond to it in careful kind, however, was the real treasure. And though Ashamin was forced to suffer what he felt to be somewhat of a cold shoulder from his lord, he accepted it with as much dignity as he could muster.

The buck wasn't a soldier anymore, he had to remember that. And Caleb, well, Caleb was a soldier through and through. Even if this was his first day as one in rank, he seemed to have that fiery ambition that Ashamin lacked, the sort of drive to run headlong into something and not doubt himself. It was admirable and disconcerting, the sort of fire to be careful around—the one you did not tend but let rage, praying all the while that the forest still stood when its last embers died.

Ashamin considered himself corralled into silence, and watched quietly as the rest of the scene unfolded. Thranduil's departure left them in an empty space, a sort of nebulous place. And there had been that challenge Ashamin had made, and the one Caleb had more than readily accepted. Did it still stand, then? The question was an echo, traveling far across the Basin's white expanse, urging Ashamin to walk slowly towards its central lake.

Why not spar now?

The Haruspex had come to stand atop the same hill Thranduil had just disappeared over without realizing it. He stood, looking out, seeing his king nowhere, and turned back to Caleb. "A challenge is a challenge, then. Let us take this to the Basin's true heart." Ashamin said smoothly before straightening his position and staring straight ahead.  

He started out at a trot at first, jostling his companion gently until Lochan woke and cried out, demanding to be set upon the snow. The request was obliged, and as Ashamin's pace quickened his sleepy companion tumbled after him, following in a dreamy haze. Soon the haruspex was running at top speed, his awkward legs flying out before him and his white hooves landing firmly in the snow, making tracks and wrecking them with each pace that followed. He went on like this, determined and focused on the sensation of cold against his features, until at last the lake came into view. His black and white body turned, long tail whipped, and his back suddenly faced the lake's unfreezing glory. Lochan settled down on the sidelines, watching curiously, knowing instinctively that this sparring field was a place where he was forbidden to tread. The haruspex dipped his head for a moment, signaling for this new soldier strike as he would. And with that, Ashamin bent his lips to his shoulder, gripped the tie of his silk with his teeth, and flung the white sheet up in the air as a signal.

Let all come and see this new soldier's fire, and let all watch it burn.

Welcome to the Aurora Basin, Caleb.



Word Count: 499
Post Count: 0/3
Timeline: High Stakes, no more than 1 week between posts
Stakes: If Caleb wins, he gets a small item. If Ashamin wins, he gets a sun amulet.
Setting: Aurora Basin. Late morning, clear skies. Begins between the border and Haruspex's cave and moves NORTH to by the unfreezing lakeshore.
Summary: Ashamin tells Caleb they should start the challenge and then runs off to the Frozen lake, taking off his sarong once there to signal that Caleb begin.
Notes: Ashamin is wearing his Tesla Coil but has removed his sarong. This is Caleb's seasonal spar for FROSTFALL, and a direct continuation of Man and Sidekick thread. If anyone wants to make a watching thread they are welcome, this is a seasonal spar so it's set in the center of the Basin for anyone to see.
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ASHAMIN