Mishap with a Runner

Writers: Ainsley1, Jane
Date Posted: 25th May 2007

Characters: Evaleine, Kaldyn
Description: Evaleine is pleased to meet Kaldyn after a mishap with her runner
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 4, day 5 of Turn 4

A bit of history with runners had kept Evaleine in the saddle when the slithering reptile had spooked the normally docile mare she was riding. Though she had kept her seat and not allowed the frightened beast to get away from her, the animal had obviously bruised her forgleg in the process.

With a sigh, Evaleine knew she was in for a long walk back to the Hold. She was relieved she had worn appropriate attire for this little outing, having chosen a dark navy split skirt that some ladies wore for riding and a pair of sturdy boots. Though she had not brought food, she did have a canteen with water, and she remembered there being a farm close, by so perhaps she would head in that direction.

The newly tilled field was a pleasing sight to Kaldyn as he walked back and forth along the small trenches.
As usual his shadow was following him back and forth, asking questions every now and then.

"So when we get the new oxen Dar, will you teach me how to drive'em?" she asked.

"Eventually." he smiled, "But not for a little while honey. They're big beasts and though I know you're growing, you're still not quite big enough."

"Then when, Dar?"

He was saved from answering when he spied someone walking alongside the field in the distance, someone with a lame runner from the way they were leading the beast. "When? Umm... maybe next turn when you're a little bigger." he answered distractedly.
"And besides, I thought you wanted to learn to ride a full-grown runner, not just the smaller ones?" he asked, the sight of the lame runner prompting his memory.

He watched as the figure in the distance became larger, and waved when he realised the _woman_ had seen him. He realised what at first appeared to be wide trous were actually one of those split skirts used by some of the Holders these days.

Evaleine waved enthusiastically, giving a smile without thought. She automatically brought her braid forward to cover the worst of the angry scar stretching between her neck and shoulder and continued forward. "Good day," she called to the large man and young girl, careful to stay on the edge of the newly ploughed field.

"G'day to you too." Kaldyn called across. "Your runner lamed itself?" he asked, nodding to the runner as it walked tenderly behind.

"Yes. I suppose we were lucky, really. She was spooked by a slithering reptile. Could have been worse. I don't suppose the stable master is going to be extremely pleased as the runner is borrowed, but she'll be fine," she added giving the mare a pat, "Won't you girl?"

"When I'm big, I'm gonna have a runner like yours."
Reia spoke from her fathers side. "Dar's gonna teach me how to ride."

Kaldyn smiled indulgently at his daughter and ruffled her hair. "We'll start off slow, little one." he said, then turned his attention back to the woman before him. "My name's Kaldyn, this is Reia my daughter," he said by way of introduction.

"It is very nice to meet you, Kaldyn," she gave the Holder a nod, "And you Reia," and here she gave the little girl a nod as well, "My name is Evaleine and I live at the main Hold. I was just out for a ride and some fresh air, when we had our little scare. I was hoping to give Tansy a bit of a rest and fill my canteen, if you wouldn't mind?"

"Of course not!" Kaldyn smiled widely, "Come to the cot and we'll organise some nice cold fresh water for you, and the runner can have a little rest. Kardyn, my son breeds runners, maybe he could have a look at your runner before you leave? Bandage the leg if need be?"

"Oh, that would be marvelous! I cannot thank you enough," Evaleine stated sincerely, quite ready for a rest herself. As she headed in the direction indicated she asked, "Have you been holding here long?"

"A few months, we have just been re-situated after the earth quake at Amethyst Cliff Hold. Our home and holding were too badly damaged for us to remain there."

Kaldyn lifted Reia up and placed her high on his shoulders so her head was almost level with the runners, she was fascinated with the eye to eye view of the runner, and allowed her father peace to talk for once. "So you're here with Lord Benaroy's family?" she didn't look the type to be actually working in the Hold.

"I was staying with an aunt at Amethyst Cliff Hold at the time of the earthquake. Though I am from Coral Bay Hold, I believe I will stay here, at least for a time. I cannot claim to be a guest of the Lord Holder. I suppose I am still seeking my place here,"
she answered with a sigh.

"I am sorry to hear about your home, it can be very difficult to start anew. You do seem to have a very good start, though," she added her arm sweeping across the Hold, which seemed to be very much in order.

"We were very lucky, Lord Benaroy is a generous Holder. He has given us land, stock and the seeds to develop good crops. We will forever be grateful to him and the people of Amber Hills for accepting us."
Kaldyn spoke seriously, "We left almost everything behind, there was nothing much worth bringing with us, so starting from scratch has been a challenge."

"That must have been an incredible trial," Evaleine commented shaking her head. "You show tremendous fortitude. I am sure you will prove yourself a credit to Amber Hills and Lord Benaroy. Besides this darling little lady on your shoulders and the son you mentioned, do you have other children? Other family?"

"Oh yes, we have other children, my wife Karei and I."
Kaldyn smiled widely, pride evident in his words.
"Two other sons and another daughter who are all dragon riders. But we still have Kardyn here and Reia." his eyes rose in his head, indicating the little one on his shoulders. "She was our special blessing."

"And one has only to look at her to know that she continues to be just that," Evaleine said, a sudden sense of yearning for her two nieces. "And _three_
dragonriders in the family. That is certainly something to speak of. And then a son here help you build up your Holding. You must be very proud,"
Evaleine said feeling a slight pang of sorrow when she realized, had things gone differently, her life might have gone in a similar direction.

"Yes, we have been very fortunate." he agreed, stopping at the door to the cot, "Karei!" he called through the doorway. "I'll get my wife to take you in to freshen up, and I'll take the runner around to the barn and get Kardyn to look at the leg."

"My thanks, Kaldyn," Evaleine responded, pleased that she had thought to head for the small Hold.

Last updated on the May 25th 2007

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Mishap with a Runner