The Forey

[Sanya Ta'ruscoe]

Sunset added its finishing touches to the dwindling day, flinging hues of golden-red and pinkish lavender across the expanse of the western horizon. Shadows cast on the trodden dirt path lengthened and darkened as light receded from the graying sky, leaving behind the warm scents of grass, leaf and calm summer evening. Along the road, lying quiet and still in the dimming light, a lone traveler came trotting, hoofbeats ringing loud in the softening sounds of growing night.

White and brown marked the stranger's steed, whose night-black mane stood out against the cloudy patchwork of his hide. He carried himself gently, each step taken with light alacrity, even though the drag of a day's ride showed in his dipping head and flagging tail. Soft feathering marked the definition of his fetlocks; and his build, though distinctly light, supported itself on long limbs with the substance of a draft-blood's bone. There was no clear name to his type, neither was there any distinguishing appearance to his make: he was an odd mix of characteristics, lighthorse and draft intermingled, coloured with an intensity to make any paint breeder jealous. But there was strength in his build, and endurance marked his manner: the many bundles across his back and flanks and the mud splashed over his legs all bore testament to the miles he had travelled with his load. Yet still he trotted, strong and hard.

His rider was, perhaps, an easier exercise in definition. A slender-build canine sat astride him, her lithe build all but dwarfed by the many packages clinging to his saddle and straps. She was young, light of frame, with smooth, elegant features and a crown of red-brown headfur. The headfur came down to her shoulders, collected neatly into a pony-tail secured by a simple wine-red ribbon. Her sleek gray fur lightened to cream at her throat, a sharp contrast to the plain earth-brown and forest green of the tunic and cloak she wore. By the curve of her back and shoulders, she was as weary as her laden steed. Like her mount, however, she kept her stance and her bearing on the road. Her eyes, light brown in hue, bore a thin shroud of weariness though they remained part-bright with alertness and thought.

The looming walls came into sight with the next turn of the road, and the tobiano pricked his ears at once. Sidling sideways a pace at the sight, he steadied and regained his forward stride as his rider touched her heels to his side. It was her wish that they advance towards this strange, forbidding structure, and he made no argument against her. Another touch of the heels, and he picked up his pace. They were at the foot of the great walls and the shuttered portcullis within the next minute, and with a soft snort the tobiano pulled up, sidling once more towards the side of the path. The gray-furred canine let out a breath of resignation, and tilting her muzzle she called up to the ramparts looming above.

"Ho there! I am Sanya, travelling peddler, seeking entry for the night!"


(OOC> Open to anyone. If there're no replies within a week I'll edit the post and take Sanya inside )

[Keleanth Windspiral]

Twilight was Kel's second favorite time of day. She preferred dawn, but the ending of the day was almost as good. The falcon had decided, after a long day of standing on the walls and harassing the wallguards, to take a flight around the fort and its surrounding territories. She was more than ready to stretch her wings, and she figured she'd tested the patience of the current watch far enough. They were not used to her quirky sense of humor, and there were a few that had started to shoot her dirty looks.

The white raptor's journey had taken her out to the clifftops and over the Sapphire Sea before she turned to head inland. Strong, steady beats of her tapered wings carried her along the winding path of the Crystal River before she turned towards the Jade Forest. Her yellow eyes searched the ground below, seeking any signs of movement that might betray a potential group of vermin. The fort was well-run and regular patrols were sent to the area around the walls, but Kel knew it never hurt to have an extra set of eyes.

A strong thermal carried the gyrfalcon towards the Pine Grove, and then she allowed it to take her out and over the main path that led up to the portcullis. The sun was hovering just over the horizon now, and that was her signal it was time to make her return. While she had excellent eyesight during the daylight hours, it diminished a lot once the sun made its final descent. As she glided she spotted a small figure waiting outside of the portcullis. The bird could see a few of the specks that represented guards milling around on top of the walls, as if trying to figure out what they should do. A smile tugged on the corners of her beak as she drew closer, then she shook her head. Some things never changed.

Kel made her way to the air just above Sanya and her steed, then proceeded to make a lazy circle. Small adjustments of pin- and tailfeathers kept her aloft without much effort and bought her time to examine the pair waiting below.

"Ho there! I am Sanya, travelling peddler, seeking entry for the night!"

Ah, another traveler. From the fort gossip the falcon had learned that there had been an increase in the number of travelers passing through the area. Well, she looked harmless enough. Time to make her introduction. With a small chirp the falcon folded her wings and allowed herself to fall into a steep dive. Once closer to the ground she snapped her wings open, allowing them to act as brakes and abruptly slow her fall. Her black-striped tailfeathers flared, further increasing the drag, and she thrust her talons out in front of her and braced for the landing. The maneuver, while mildly impressive, wasn't overly difficult, and the white bird landed a few feet to Sanya's left. She took a moment to settle her wings at her sides and rearranged a couple of feathers before turning her sharp gaze towards the pair to her right.

"Guid evenin' tae ye. Ah'm Keleanth. Welcoom tae Emerald Bay. Whit brings ye tae our fort?"

[Sanya Ta'ruscoe]

The tobiano stilled beneath his rider's stroking paw as the canine tilted her head to gaze up at the walls above them. Running feet she could hear, and milling footpaws, but no one seemed inclined to answer or otherwise acknowledge her presence. There were occupied forts, and there were deserted ones, and the gray-furred lady was quite certain this one was not one of the latter.

With a sigh she took her horse out slowly to the middle of the road, right before the fort and in clear view of anybeast on the walls. Perhaps having a proper sight of them would convince the reticent guards of her harmlessness. Her mount stood his ground this time, mouthing the bit between his loose-held reins. His ears flicked and flattened as a shadow passed over the ground before them, but a quick word from his rider stilled him before he could jump. Sanya glanced up at the gyrfalcon circling them, light catching her brown eyes and turning them a momentary golden as she nodded a greeting. A member of the Fort, no doubt, if the cool non-panicked reactions of the guard were anything to go by.

She had turned back to the walls once more and was about to shout again when the raptor dropped down beside them. The tobiano snorted, ears snapping back against his head as his tail flicked out behind him. He did not flinch or shy, however, as the big bird spoke.

"Guid evenin' tae ye. Ah'm Keleanth. Welcoom tae Emerald Bay. Whit brings ye tae our fort?"

Sanya bowed her head once more respectfully, a cordial smile tracing her lips as she tapped a rein to turn her horse towards the raptor. Unlike her mount, she had no unease around Keleanth. Raptors were generally creatures of honour, and the canine had met enough of them on her travels to know that they were usually no threat - so long as one treated them with respect. Ignoring the stares of the guards on the walltop, she steadied her horse between her legs as her voice spoke soft but clear in the warm summer air.

"I'm looking for accommodation for a few days, and maybe make some sales too," she raised a paw to indicate the bundles tied around and behind her legs, "Though I might stay longer if the business is good."

She ran a paw over the tobiano's neck again, feeling the muscles relax beneath her as she contemplated her schedules. A few days, maybe more....well, summer was a good time to travel, and there was no point in wasting it on an unprofitable venture. Whether she remained long in this Fort would depend strongly on the nature of their reception towards her products. If there was little interest, there was little point in staying too long while the road remained good to walk on either.

[Keleanth Windspiral]

A cool gaze met Sanya's own as the canine asked her horse to turn so they could face the falcon. Kel tilted her head slightly, then eyed the saddlebags and packs that were fastened to the tobiano. It wasn't unusual for traders to come to the fort. There were plenty of beasts here that would be interested in their wares, especially if they found something unusual or new to bring.

"I'm looking for accommodation for a few days, and maybe make some sales too. Though I might stay longer if the business is good."

Keleanth give a slight nod, then backed up a few steps. She saw no harm in allowing Sanya to enter, and to sell what she could. The falcon peered up at the walltops, then uttered a piercing whistle. Three heads immediately appeared, each looking down at the bird, canine, and horse.

"Would one o' ye open yon gates fer the lass?"

"Aye Kel!" The heads disappeared, and Sanya would hear the patter of footpaws as the trio ran down the steps. The white raptor chuckled, then let her eyes go back to the canine.

"Ah hope ye'll find whit ye seek here lass. There be beasties aplenty fer ye tae be sellin' tae. Guid luck tae ye."

With a final smile and a matching nod, the falcon spread her wings. There was a moment of hesitation, then she launched herself back into the air, wings beating furiously until she gained some altitude. The gates opened after another moment, giving Sanya access to the inside of the fort. Kel landed on the ramparts, then hopped down onto the path that would lead to her roosting spot. It was time for her to turn in. Hopefully Sanya would find equally comfortable quarters.