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Story Listing
Series Listing

Weyrling Training

Writers: Ambrosia, Kaysea, Paula
Date Posted: 6th June 2008

Characters: Corowal, Aivorn, Dawtrey, Corofel, Luter
Description: Emerald Falls hold hosts a runner races but the weather plays tricks on them.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 9, day 7 of Turn 4

Corofel

Part 3 Candral and Teafel lead the two runners out of the stalls and across to the ramp which leads down to the track. Luter stood back and admired the high stepping of both runners. The Hornblower showed his eagerness in every muscle this morning. His head held high, snorting excitedly he stepped with determination, showing a little skittishness as the crowds jostled in, but his muscles contracted powerfully beneath his gleaming black coat and rippled beneath his skin. Luter nodded well pleased as Candral led the stallion down to the track.

EmeraldForce trotted behind, he too showed promise, but this was only the young buck's second race and his head wasn't in tune with what lay ahead.
He could read the runners mannerisms, he still wasn't sure what was going on, but Luter felt certain that the moment the runner reached the track, the natural desire to lead the pack would out.

He was disappointed he had only been able to bring three of his runners back for the races, but he had had to leave some of the assistants back at the holding, Candral and Teafel were all he could spare.

Striker was stomping around back at the stalls, he knew what was expected of him and he had raced well during trials the day before, the next race was a certainty - he must make sure Corowel didn't waste marks betting on any other in the next race, but for now he needed to concentrate on the two runners in this one. He jog-trotted down to the track behind the pair - excitement building inside him.

~*~

The first trial start went smoothly, although the first flakes of snow started fall near the end of the race. Corowal and his family watched it from the stands.

"There three trials start first, where the three best get automatically to the semi-finals and rest of the semi-finalists are selected based on their time. Then there are two semi-finals, again three best gets to the final.
There's only six runner in the final, and the winner wons the day,"
Corowal explained the racing system to his son between the starts.

The second start went smoothly too, although the snow fall was getting heavier. The big, wet snowflakes filled the air, worsened the visibility and turned the racing track to a slippery mud-gruel. Iron Dawn won his start.

"This is not a good thing," Aivorn said, looking the snow. "We should have waited till the next month." He went to instruct his jockeys to be careful.

The third start started well. The runner hoofs churned the mud, snow made furs wet and heavy. In the half way thru it happened. Emerald Wanderer's hoofs slipped and it stumbled to the front of the Meadow Star. He was too close to Meadow Star to slow down or turn aside. The runners collided, Wanderer fell and Star staggered, throwing off his jockey. Wander's rider was trapped under the young stallion's body. Third runner, coming behind them, somehow managed to avoid the collision by making a long leap over the fallen runner.

Aivorn cursed furiously and grapping few nearest beastcrafter, the rushed to the scene of the accident. One man went after Star while Aivorn and two other's helped the jockey from under the runner. "Get stretchers!"
Aivorn commanded. The jockey was unconcious and probably seriously injured. Star was led away, back to the stables and it's jockey was dazed but conscious. Stretchers arrived. Both men were gently lifted to them. A beasthealer came to look at Emerald Wanderer. The runner didn't seem to be able to get up again. When the stretch-bearers started towards the infirmary, Aivorn was torn. Stay with Wanderer, or go with the men. The men won. He followed the out from the track and towards the infirmary.
Corowal intersected him on the way.
"Are they all right? What now?" the Lord Holder asked.

"Let's declare a break. We'll conference after I know what the healers say and decided what to do," Aivorn told him.

Corowal nodded and went to seek out Field Meadow's holder, the other runner owner and Luter for the conference.

Last updated on the June 7th 2008