| Rylan stared into the small corral that contained "his" herd of runners. He'd been working for nearly five turns with his father to perfect this breed, and now he spent as much time as he could afford admiring them. They were a high strung lot, only the most experienced riders could handle one well. They were bred to be racers, and racers they were. All were small, and dainty. They came in such a variety of colors that it was impossible to set standards on that account. Orignally they had been meant to be sprinters, but Rylan had secretly introduced a few traits that made his 'creations' into endurance runners. His own mare, Silivren, was of the first batch of foals, born four turns ago and she was what Rylan considered the epitome of the breed. Although she was gentler and calmer than the rest, that's why Rylan had chosen her as his mount instead of another. "Ry! Father says to get those big things packed up and shipped off before tonight!" Inara, Rylan's little sister, called from behind him. He turned around to see the arrogant child with her hands on her hips and tapping her foot impatiently, staring him down. Rylan smiled at her and shrugged. "I'll get to it." He mumbled, and Inara rolled her eyes. "No, you won't. Those runners were supposed to be on their way this morning, they'll be late as it is. Holder Greshim wanted them by tomorrow, you'll have to ride all night to deliver them!" Inara took the tone of her mother when it came to speaking to other people. Inara's mother had been bossy and blatant, as well as manipulative. Rylan had liked Inara's mother, and wished she hadn't died. He knew it bothered him more than Inara. Perhaps that was because he never knew his own mother? He didn't know. "I know Ina. I'll get to it. It won't take more htan a couple of hours to get to Grefondle Hold if I keep a fast pace. I'll be there before it's dark." Rylan told his sister, and turned back to look at 'his' runners. He wished he could spend more time working with them. They were worth something, unlike those "big things" that Holder Greshim wanted for his new son-in-law. Inara rolled her eyes and threw her hands into the air. "I don't know why I bother!" She exclaimed, and shook her head impatiently. "You are a lazy grub Rylan, and I don't know how you'll ever make Journeyman if you keep it up!" "I don't know how you'll ever make Journeyman being a complete dolt." Rylan mimicked her tone, and sneered at her. It bothered him when she undercut his ability to do things, and she would have to learn that. Inara glared at him for a moment, eyes blazing and fists clenched before she finally whirled around and stormed off. Rylan watched after her, feeling the tension flow from his body as she did. Whether it was because the runner could sense his tension, or had just now realized he was standing there, Rylan didn't know, but at that moment Silivren came trotting smoothly up to the fence, nickering for Rylan as she did. "Hey lovey." Rylan told her, stroking her forehead and smiling. It didn't matter what had happened, Silivren always seemed to know how to react. She's just a runner. She'll never really understand you. Rylan told himself, but he didn't believe it. Animals knew more about him than other people did. It was a few more minutes before Rylan could bear to tear himself away from the silvery mare. Despite what he'd told his sister, he'd have to get going if he wanted to make it by morning to Grefondle Hold. Shaffit! Why does Father always make me do these kinds of things? He knows I have no head for traveling. He should let me stay here where I do some good, instead of trotting a bunch of worthless beasts across the continent! Rylan shook his head and left his spot at the fence to string up the lousy bunch of runners he was to be delivering. continue...... |