[Game Thread] The Partisan Torch

[KithKunabi]

"Easy Laksha... I'm not familliar with her order, but it won't take her much effort to keep pace with a horse." Antony makes a small gesture towards Kaia's scalp... it's rare enough for men to shave their hoods. But women? Invariably the products of a monastic order. "However, our friend Nos can't keep pace with you, or the horses." He cocks an eyebrow, then waggles from one to the other in an unsettling display of eyebrow agility.

He spurs his mount to trot along, giving a nod of his to Dylon, as way of acknowledgment.

[Elucidus]

"I can come, but I don't know the first thing about picking a mule." Not realizing that he would need one too.

OOC Sorry he isn't that bright.

[shaderhedemon]

"I will be of no concern," he says taking a bit of hair out of a pocket and whispering something then throwing the hair on the ground. After a few seconds the hair glows and grows into the shape of a horse then grows full size and turns into a brown, light horse.

"I must admit though I have not had much practice at riding one," he says sluggishly mounting the horse. He then looks the others waiting to follow them out of the city.

[Sakure]

Laksha waited until the others were gone towards the stable before just dropping her weight roughly onto the horse's neck in exasperation. Nobody even knows how to ride a horse. Marvelous.

When the less reputable members of their group approached the stable Laksha emerged from just out of sight with a no nonsense facial expression. "It should be fairly obvious which equines are healthy and which are not. Don't be timid. Your nervousness will be multiplied ten fold through your mount." The paladin jerked the reigns of her steed sharply, yanking the animal's head to the side to entice it to turn. "Be direct in your actions, like any relationship there can only be one dominant member. Be sure the horse doesn't consider you submissive to it's whims and you can lead it by the reigns for directions, and with your heels for tempo."

The common horses weren't conditioned for use in battle but they certainly weren't "mules". It was a pity these neophytes weren't directly under her command so she could bark orders and chide them. She was worried they would get hurt if they weren't prepared. As young as she was, Laksha already felt like a mother with unruly children about to be thrown in over their heads. It was distracting when she felt responsible for people in combat and it left her feeling vulnerable, so any edge she could share with them would aid in confrontation.

Edges couldn't be forced though so she watched them with more concern than anything else after her brief explanation on horse handling.

[Aosaw]

Kaia watched Laksha's demonstration of how to ride a horse. If that is how a horse is ridden, I'd rather walk until my feet bleed.

There are times when you must be cruel, to a point. I do not expect you to throw me into a wall, for instance, if it means protecting me from a spear.

Breathing through her nose, she approached the line of horses and chose one with a brown coat and a white sock on its front left leg. Her attention, however, was focused on Laksha. She had a way of guessing about people, and her impression of Laksha was that she responded to nobility and noble actions.

If I'm going to get anything from her, ever, I'll have to show her I'm willing to cooperate.

"Lady, can you show me how to fasten the saddle?"

[Sakure]

Without a word the paladin dismounted her own horse and retrieved a saddle from the wall. Laksha gave a heave and swung it up and onto the horse's back. "It's important to keep the saddle tight, if you have reservations about it, keep in mind that if it's loose it will rub your horse's belly raw or worse, it can cut into it's flesh if you aren't firm." She pulled the leather tight and snapped the buckle.

"It's a strong animal, as long as you keep it fed and rested it will lend you it's endurance." She tried to give an encouraging smile before sharply spinning on her heel in military fashion and began to return towards her own horse.

[Elucidus]

Dylon watched quietly always the quiet, hidden, inconspicuous person.

[KithKunabi]

Antony watches as well astride his mount, a relaxed mare that he hadn't really had to dominate. They had something of an understanding: She didn't try to buck him, and he didn't charge to the front lines.

He pondered what Laksha's words of relationship dominance meant if she truly had meant them to apply in all aspects, and wondered how she really viewed their relationship. Theirs was one built on trust, and co-dependance. If there was ever a true confrontation, he tended to differ to her side, if only to end the argument. But it rarely came to such things. In situations where he felt more confident he took charge, and vice versa. And besides, even when forced to acquiesce, he usually did whatever he had wanted in the first place. Just in ways that didn't call attention to it.

[DukeofDellot]

The man tending the stables is one of a proud heritage and wears it on his sleeves, his horses however aren't all in healthy order. He immediately ushers any away from the horses that are not ready to be ridden, and quietly but sternly pushes suggestions of which steeds could make the trip.

OODM Sorry about being so vague, 75 gp for a horse, they have a speed of 50 feet, an 8th level Monk is, in fact, as fast as a horse.

The stableman pieces together who you are by recognizing Laksha. He gives a slight bow, despite having already given his greetings, and apologizes, "I'm sorry I have to charge, I can barely feed my family, much less my horses."

[Aosaw]

Kaia studied her chosen horse, took a breath, and stepped back from it. "You are right to ask for payment, but unfortunately I could not afford to feed my horse if I bought it from you." She turned to Laksha. "I promise you that I will not complain of walking. I've done enough of it in my life, and my soles could use some toughening anyway."

She lowered her eyes. "Sorry for wasting your time."

OOC Literally, enough to buy the horse but not its bit and bridle. I think I'll take my chances on foot.

[MCP]

Hroth didn't need a horse. He simply waited until everyone was saddled and mounted, saying very little himself unless addressed directly, then found an out-of-the-way place away from the eyes of peasants to summon up a gaunt, grey-furred riding horse complete with saddle.

[DukeofDellot]

The Stableman swallowed his pride further than he already had, and strained himself around the statement, "I could... lower... the price a little. Maybe fifty?"

[Sakure]

Laksha watched the semi-haggling break down between the stableman and her new allies. How sad, poverty has afflicted both buyer and seller in a desperate market. The small girl reached down to her belly and unfastened the buckle of her belt. The item was one of several that gave her the power to wield her weapon and armor despite her petite size but immediate necessity was elsewhere. The freckled little girl draped the plated belt across a gate to the horses.

"This will cover their expenses." She looked at the monks. "Choose a horse and saddle for it that you like, it will be a companion for some time to come hopefully!"

She hauled herself up to her own horse's back and spurred it next to Antony. "So what do you think of this lot?"

 

Laksha leaves her belt of giant's strength behind [+2 STR]
(keep the change you lucky horse keeper!)

[Elucidus]

"Pardon me?" Dylon spoke out. "I do not need your charity, my lady." He pulls out several coins from a pouch you hadn't noticed earlier. "I can cover her's as well." He says as he walks over to the merchant and hands him 125 GP worth of monies. "This combined with the lady here's money", he says indicating Kaia, "should complete the sale. And whatever fit horse you have ready for me as well." He shakes his hand to complete the transaction.

He leans into Kaia's ear. He whispers something.

[Aosaw]

Kaia hesitates, then speaks in the language of angels well known to priests of her order: "Give only what you can, brother, and let others bear their burdens how they will."

"I think that both methods of payment will serve you better than I could ordinarily afford, sir," she said. "Lady Laksha's belt should buy you supplies enough to treat the ailments of your sicker horses, and provide the food you'll need to support your family through the winter without worrying about your stock. Dylon's and my money will buy our horses; but if the Lady will allow it, I think the belt will serve as a token of our gratitude and good will." She turned her look toward the lady on her horse. "I only hope that you don't come to regret your generous gift in the weeks to come."

She opens out her pouch and combines her savings with Dylon's. "Two-hundred and twenty-five guilders," she says after a moment. "I think that will buy two horses, their saddles, and any feed they may require?"