Fleet-Foot and Swift-Wing [Mysa]

[Coci Heavenshield]

Rildonmark
Midvinter
[member="Mysa Snowstrider"]

There time in Rildonmark had come to an end all to quickly. The village that is home to the best stable of horses in Midvinter had welcomed Mysa and Coci with open arms and open doors. They had the run of the place, and quarters in the grand hall which sat perched within the center of the village and Clan Sabina. Yet, there was a sense of sadness here, the loss of their leader Aerin Firebrand had hit them hard, but they still had a duty to the realm and the new King. It was said among the people of Rildonmark that Aerin had vanish into exile after the battle against the Vinterbound, others believe she died of a broken heart .. but none knew if she was dead or alive.

This sadden Coci to hear the rumours of her disappearance, Aerin had once saved Thurion's life from a deadly arrow, the day of the battle for Thrand Dawnbringer to take back the crown and his right and she had remained loyal to the king from the day she first met him. But time moves on, and so does the lives of those that lived on. Coci walked along a small road that led to the holding yards where the new foals had been brought to Rildonmark for the safety of the keepers. While so young they remain here under the protection of the villagers until they are old enough to be released to freedom before their training would begin.

She watched them frolick at play, kicking up their hooves spraying freshly laid snow in the process. They had not a care in the world, save for the where the next meal would come from and even that was not ever far away for them. Coci pushed off the fence, her hands cold for the bit of the ice air, but she never did mind this. It would be time for Mysa and she to go soon, once the horses are prepared with packs, Abeline would be left behind this time, as would be the cart, the territory in which they will travel too steep and dangerous for the older mare.

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[Lief]

Rildonmark was a far cry from anything Mysa had ever experienced before, and she was rather upset at the thought of leaving such a beautiful place behind. Alas, their journey had not been to this particular place but to the mountains instead so she would simply have to put up with the momentary loss in favour of progress. With time she could return, perhaps they would venture back this way when they returned to the Capital.

She stood beside the stable which currently held Abeline, the beloved mare she had grown to adore during their travels. One hand lifted to stoke along her mane, specifically against the small braid she had provided her with that very morning. Did she understand the change of hands? Did she take note of who was in her company? Would she believe that they had forsaken her?

Mysa's stomach curled at the thought, and she settled a kiss between the old horse's eyes.

"We'll meet again" she announced, for the mare alone, before turning her gaze across toward the paddock on the far end of the yard. She gave a soft pat to Abeline's flank, before shouldering her pack and moving toward where her Master and Mother awaited.

"It's a lovely morning, Master."

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

A smile turned her lips as she watch Mysa with Abeline, the emotions in the girl ran unchecked which was nice in a way, but in time she would have to learn how to 'shield' them, for her own sake. To dangerous is it for a Jedi to leave emotions open to others to sense, to use against her, especially those that will target her. Target her for many reasons. This would be a lesson for another day however, "Abeline is old, and would not stand up to the trip we are about to embark on. She has to stay for her own good". She knew Mysa would understand, deep down she would, after all she would not wish to harm Abeline in anyway at all.

"It is a fine morning indeed", she said as she wrapped her arms around her daughter, and kissed her forehead. She turned them both in their place and raised her arm pointing to the mountain beyond the roof of the grand hall. "Up there, along a path we are to travel. There is cave filled with the most amazing crystals. Lady Firebrand did well here, and had traveled the stars unlike most Valkyri. She learned the value of those crystals in the wider galaxy and it is said that Rildonmark is one of the most wealthiest villages on Midvinter because of this", Coci grinned. "But we are not venturing there for the hope to find 'treasure', but something more valuable to you".

They would be able to spend time in Rildonmark on the return trip, besides they had to return to Abeline. They two were interrupted by the sound of clipping hooves being lead by a young girl from Clan Sabina. The young girl approached and bowed her head in respect to them, it was known in Rildonmark who Mysa and Coci were, many a tale of the battles had been heard in the grand hall, alongside the victories of their once leader. "My Ladies, I bring you your horses prepared for your journey", she said handing the brown leather reins to them both.

Before them stood two young horses, heavy with packs with supplies and bedding, they are strong and filled with the abundance of life and energy. The living force filling them with a sense of purpose. The one handed to Mysa, a stallion in the image of his sire, BlackWing, Aerin's first war horse on which she rode into battle the day Thrand took back the throne, the day she and BlackWing saved him. "This one is called Swiftwing, no other horse in the herd can catch him", the young girl added. "And this is Fleetfoot, she can run through the deepest snow, climb any trail", she girl seemed very pleased with her charges.

Coci thank her, and offered her a bow in return. "Thank you, we promise to take good care of them". The horses are strong and young, and Coci began to doubt her ability to be able to ride the mare. She turned to Mysa, not hiding her concern about her own doubts, and giggled. "I suppose we had better get going".

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[member="Mysa Snowstrider"]​

 

[Lief]

She was right, of course, this Master of hers. It was a kindness they were doing by switching out their beloved old mare for a hardier breed that could readily traverse the difficult terrain they were about to head into. It didn't ease the ache and the guilt though, poor mare likely wondered where they were going.

In no time at all her worries melted away as she was met with the embrace of a Mother. It was strange, this duplicitous relationship they had. Master, Mother, Aunt... All wrapped into one! She would not change it for the world.

"What do you have planned, Master?" she inquired, though part of her knew Coci was likely to hold off until they reached the caves. But hey, you never know until you ask right?

Their discussion was put on hold by the presence of a young girl, leading two horses by their reins. One a strong black stallion, the other a hardy white mare. The former was given to Mysa, the latter to Coci, and she could not help but find the contrast almost ironic. White on Black. Black on White. She gave her boy, Swiftwing, a tender pat on the neck before drawing her hand down his flank.

She could feel the muscles tighten beneath her touch.

"He's beautiful" she said, looking from the young girl to her Master. Don't get too attached, Mysa, he won't be yours after this journey is over. Unless she found some way to acquire him... Not that she had anything of worth to barter with. Horses were expensive!

"Thank you. And yes, Master, I suppose we ought to!"

Led by his rein from the paddock toward the beaten track, Swiftwing seemed remarkably well learned. Quick to follow. But how well would he ride?

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

She had swung into the saddle ease enough and took the reins. Coci could feel the power and strength in the horse beneath her and hoped her ability to ride would be enough, she has not be riding long in her life, and even though she had spent much time on Midvinter, horses very rarely fitted into the picture. The mare shifted in place and the pulled of her head told Coci she was eager to get going as well. And so Coci let her have her head and the mare began to pace toward the path as if it knew their destination.

It was now she answered Mysa's question of the plan. "The plan is, to hand over the 'mission' to you my girl. You lead us from this point forward". After all they are here to seek a crystal for Mysa and her saber if she finds one or wishes it. Before their departure however, Coci sensed the struggle in Mysa over attachments, whether to items or creatures or people. Jedi of the past, those of from a more romantic time who's mandate forbid such things, are times long gone.

She would be rather hypocritical to deny such things to another considering the attachments she possesses, and Coci found it ironic that the old Jedi did form them if only to one thing, and that one thing was their lightsabers. They had to form an attachment to it, the saber is an extension of the Jedi and form a bond to it in order to wield it with a sense of purpose and ability. Yet, Jedi of now do not fall to the darkside because of such things, they have grown much stronger then that, and have the ability to let go when needed. At least to objects that can be replace. Of course stronger attachments to those of loved ones is where the true test lay.

However over the hundreds of years that have passed, Jedi have been given the knowledge that they are but people, with emotions and now allowed to live with the strength to grow into something far more stronger because of it. Equally, there had been dangers in the time of denial of such things, equally they face the same dangers with the knowledge of it.

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[member="Mysa Snowstrider"]​

 

[Lief]

She clambered into the saddle. No doubt Coci had as much trouble as she did given the fact that these were horses bred for Valkyri and not mere Space Mortals like the Master-Apprentice duo! Still she felt somewhat safe atop Swiftwing, despite the fact she had never once ridden in a saddle before. She trusted that the stallion would know what he was doing! That or at the very least Coci...

The wagon here had been good practice in steering at the very least.

One hand moved down to pat the neck of the horse before they set off down the trail and away from the wonderful village. It was simply breathtaking, especially from a distance. But she had to get her head in the game.

"Me?" she choked, her eyes widening just a touch. "You want me to... But what if I get us lost?"

Oh this would not end well! She could feel a panic rising within her from her very core. She knew that they were here to explore the crystal caves, so that Mysa could get the final one she needed before constructing her lightsaber, but... But...

The pressure was unbearable. If it wasn't for the stallion she wouldn't have been moving even an inch at this point.

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]