Perfecting the Bloodline

Writers: Ambrosia, Paula
Date Posted: 12th April 2008

Characters: Aivorn, Dawtrey
Description: Master Aivorn consults his young journeyman jockey about a prize runner's prospects
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 8, day 13 of Turn 4
Notes: Late due to Mentor LOA.

Aivorn leaned against the fence, watching Dawtrey ride on Emerald Champion. Champion was one of the master's favourites. The pair looked good, he had to admit and the young journeyman handled the spirited stallion well. He waved them to come over to him.

Dawtrey rubbed the palm of his hand along the reddish runner's sweaty neck, murmuring soothingly. "Good show, me boy. Calm now, our master's calling."

As he guided Chap over to where the Master Beastcrafter was standing, the sorrel danced proudly. A slow, hopeful smile grew on Dawtrey's face as they approached his master. He drew a deep breath as he came within earshot, "Well, Master Aivorn, _he_ seems to think he's coming along nicely. What do you think?"

"Aye, he's looking handsome," Aivorn said, breaking into a rare grin.

"Prob'ly one of the top sprinters I've seen round these parts, certainly the best I've had the pleasure of riding in a spell," the journeyman nodded for emphasis.

"He better be, I've spent twenty turns on that bloodline," Aivorn snorted, and reached out to caress the stallion's muzzle. "His sire retired as unbeatable race-champion. I expect as much of this one."

"Aye, Emerald Prize, and wasn't he one." Dawtrey's eyes went a bit unfocused as he remembered the crimson and black flash of that bright bay stallion as he crossed the finish line far ahead of all his competitors. "It was he who inspired me to jockeying, y'know, sir.
Training, well, that I'd've done even had I been born in the mines.
It'd be an honor and a joy to bring this fiery brute to the Winner's Circle. And if things so continue, I think we just might, though it's a mite early to tell." Superstitiously, Dawtrey backtracked carefully after praising the promising talent he sat astride.

Aivorn nodded. It had been a bad day when Emerald Prize had jumped that fence and broken his leg. He couldn't run after that. But he still served to a sire the future racers. Champion was turning out to be everything his sire had been and maybe more. "The next race is going to be soon, you think Chaps is ready for it?" He wanted to hear the journeyman's opinion.

Dawtrey considered his answer carefully. 'Twas not only bad luck to race a young stud too early, but also poor sense. If he was too eager, and not ready, he could sour to the starting gates or worse, pop a tendon or even break a bone. But he and Chap had been working the gate for a couple of months now, and he had raced many times against the other sprinting runners in the Beastmaster's stables.

"Aye, he'll be ready enough. Perhaps not yet for the big mark races, but for the green leg races, he'll do better than fair." Dawtrey's brown eyes sparked mischieviously. "Be a pity to hold him back this spring, when he could start intimidating the competition early, before the heat of the Gather season."

Aivorn was glad to hear the young man talked sense. A well though of and balanced opinion. Of course, he expected no less from his journeyman. "The next race is against Green Valley's and Meadow Field's runners. It small enough, most participants will be young ones. I'm sending in Iron Dawn and Emerald Wanderer too. It will be interesting to see which of the these three will be the best." Both Iron Dawn and Wanderer were same age with Champion, Wanderer being a half-brother (same sire, diffrent dams).

Dawtrey permitted himself a twitch of a smile. "Aye, that would be a nice debut. They're good competition for the training track... but my marks would on ol' Chap here - if I had any to spare - since he's beaten the both of them in nearly every practice race we've held.
Though they might give him a reason to test his mettle, seein' as how they're both runnin' fools themselves. That Iron's a solid runner, and Wander often pulls out a surprise halfway down the stretch. Chap seems to, just to want it more, I guess that's how you could say it."

**Kinda like me, I reckon** Dawtrey thought privately with only a trace of self-mockery, as he gave Chap a solid clap on his shoulder.
**All out, and never even think of waving the white flag, even if you see their tails ahead a' you a'switchin.**

"I know where I'm betting my marks," Aivorn said. He also knew now who would be riding which runner. Journeyman Larres for Iron Dawn, Dawtrey for Champion and Cahmir for Wanderer. "Look, I'm going to fetch Virtue, and then she'll show how to jump fences properly." Virtue was older mare, not known for her speed but realiable and good fence jumper. Aivorn often used the calm tempered grey mare when training young beasts. She was a good example giver and didn't hesitate to give a snap for a young stallion who thought too much of himself.

Dawtrey nodded again. He wouldn't ask how the Beastmaster would place his wagers, but he had his guesses. "Sounds like a good plan, master.
Chap could use the practice; he doesn't always gather enough but tends to fly over a little out of control. Not surprising for a high spirited young 'un, but the discipline would also help during the racing. Good for his stamina, too."

He grinned unexpectedly, rolling his eyes. "And Chap's always happy to see a pretty lil' lady, even if she outranks him and isn't too shy to prove it."

"Exactly," Aivorn grunted. "Keep him warm." He headed towards the stable.

Last updated on the April 17th 2008

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Perfecting the Bloodline