A Tithe Appreciated

Writers: AL, Paula, Suzee
Date Posted: 6th January 2011

Characters: Zathris, Benani, Petriv
Description: The Lord Holder is presented with a tithe
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 12, day 3 of Turn 5

Zathris

Benani

Benani awoke early and rising from the warm bed she shared with her
husband smiled shyly to herself at the memories of the night before.
Slipping on her robe and slippers she went to the window to look out
at the beginnings of what looked to be a beautiful day. A scratch at
the door turned her around and she crossed to open it for the drudge
that brought them their morning meal. She invited the girl in after
glancing over to make sure Zathris was covered.

Dismissing the girl with a smile she poured a steaming mug of hot klah
and brought it to the bed. "Morning." she said softly smoothing some
hair out of his eyes. "It's going to be a beautiful day."

Zathris stretched and lazily turned over, his lips curling up in a
grin. "Any day that begins with a cup of klah in bed with my
beautiful wife has got to be a beautiful day." He pushed himself up
to a seated position and chucked her gently on her chin. "Big plans
for today?"

"Not really," she smiled "but I saw a beastcrafter bringing in a
string of runners yesterday. I thought maybe I'd go take a better look
at them. A couple appeared to be very well bred." She didn't really
have any idea where they'd come from but she new good runners when she
saw them. She had been mad for runners when she was a teen.

"Really?" Zathris sipped at the steaming klah, careful not to burn
himself. "My runner's getting up there. I've been thinking about
retiring him. Any possible replacements you think?"

She smiled, "Yes actually, a beautiful spirited stallion who looked
very full of himself by the way he was dancing around." Her eyes
admired Zathris' figure. "You would look well on him I think."

"Would I? Well, I shall have to take a look." Zathris liked a horse
with spirit. Rignik was old, his spirit was dwindling and mostly he
wanted to graze. It was time to let him have a life of leisure and
pick out a new runner to take him from the various holds. And to just
have the pleasure of a good gallop now and then as well. "Shall I get
dressed and we head down there before our work finds us?"

Happiness suffused her "Oh, yes!" she said standing. "That would be
wonderful." She was so excited by the prospect that she ran to start
dressing herself, in a riding outfit 'just in case.' "There were two
that were black as night with a single white sock." she giggled "Maybe
the other would be good for me to ride." she mused hopefully. She
found she rather liked the idea of mounting a runner that looked
similar to his... a matched pair.

Zathris couldn't help but chuckle at his wife's enthusiasm. He downed
the last of his klah and placed the mug upon the small table by their
bed. Then he stood and stretched, scratched, then moved over to pick
out his clothes. As lazily as he moved, he got dressed pretty quickly
and it wasn't long before Zathris and his wife were making their way
to the stables, interested and eager to see the new arrivals.

Benani swept her hair back and tied it behind her before donning her
warm cloak and a for their trip into the crisp morning air. She
trotted to catch up with her husband as they arrived at the stables.
There were several of the runners she had seen the previous day but
not the stallion. "He isn't here." she said. "Maybe he is stabled?"

"Maybe." Zathris' let his eyes graze over the runners that they could
see. None matched the description his wife had given him. "Let's
roam around a bit, see if we can find him."

Roarlenh had awakened early that morning and gone down to the stables
to check on his string of animals. He wanted the Stallion groomed and
gleaming even with the winter coat he now wore. He had hoped to
present them to the Steward yesterday as his tithe so he could get on
his way back to Rock Ravine. There was a storm coming in, he could
feel it in his bones.

Then he heard voices approaching. Thinking Petriv was coming back to
check he called out. "I'm back here" and continued to curry the
stallion.

Petriv was bringing in two sets of reins, more decorative than normal,
their metal bits shining silver. They had belonged to the Old Lord and
his latest wife (wedding present actually). He had made an apprentice
to polish and oil them well. He thought they would look good on
Roarlenh's runners. He spotted Zathris and Benani. "Good morning My
Lord, My Lady."

Benani turned when she heard the voices. "Master Petriv." she
acknowledged. "We were looking for some new runners I saw coming in
yesterday. There looked to be some fine blood among them." she smiled
trying to hide her excitement a little.

There was a chuckle from Zathris, not directed at Petriv, but rather
at his wife. She was so cute when she got eager for something. The
twinkle in her eyes betrayed herself even if she tried to hide it.
"My wife was quite enthused about them, so I thought I should come
take a look with her. Would you be willing to show them to us? I
believe she mentioned in particular a stallion."

"Aye, they're fine beasts. I believe Holder Roarlenh is more suitable
to tell you about them," Petriv replied.

Roarlenh, hearing his name poked his head out of the stall. "Oh, let
me bring him out for you M'lord" he said and ducked back inside to
attach a lead to the stallion's bridle. Stroking the soft nose he said
softly "Here we go my man, do me proud." The runner seemed to
understand and tossed his head. Roralenh lead him out of the stall
into full view of the Lord and Lady Holder. The runner's natural
inclination to show off had his head tossing and tail held high. He
blew and snorted when he spied the strangers but was more curious than
shy.

The Rock Ravine holder smiled at his Lord. "I knew when he was foaled,
he would be magnificent and bound for your stables Sir." he said. He
flattened his hand with a bit of root in his palm and the runner
calmed. "He does not have a formal name but we call him Shadow." He
reached up and patted the midnight black neck.

"Shadow?" Zathris walked around the runner, eyes running over the
creature's form. He stepped forward, making sure to do so within the
animal's sight, but slowly enough to keep the runner from thinking he
was trying to attack. "He's about two...three turns?"

"Yes sir." he replied with a smile. It was good to know the Lord
Holder knew his runners.

Benani smiled too watching Zathris evaluating the beast. "He's
beautiful." she said.

"And these would look magnifient on him," Petriv said with admiring
tone and handed Roarlenh the silver-decorated reins.

Roarlenh murmured to the runner as he slipped the halter over his
head. He'd never seen anything so fine but Shadow deserved it. He
accepted the bit easily and the beast holder was glad to see it was
only chain. Shadow had a soft mouth and was very responsive to his
rider. If he had any concerns for the showy black's high spirits it
was rough handling. He smiled and offered "Shall I put him through
his paces sir or would you like me to saddle him?"

"I'd prefer if you saddled him." Zathris wanted to get a feel for the
stallion's gate and how he moved. He stepped forward before Roarlenh
released his hold upon the creature and ran his hands over the
runner's legs. Impressive, yes. Zathris straightened up and clapped
his hands against his thighs. "Yes, please, if you'll saddle him, I'd
like to give him a go."

Roarlenh nodded, "Yes M'lord" he answered and in a moment had the
beautiful stallion back in the stall. He retrieved the blanket and
saddle from it's stand and in a moment had both on Shadow's back. He
smiled as the runner became a little excited knowing he was going out.
This one dearly loved to run.

Soon he led him back out and toward the mounting block. He tossed the
reins over the black's tossing head and nodded to Zathris. "Sir." he
said simply and held the runners head for his new owner to mount.

Benani watched the whole tableau with barely concealed excitement. Oh
how she wanted to mount that runner herself though she expected her
husband would never allow it. Her eyes sparkled and she couldn't help
her sigh of appreciation when the holder brought him back out ready to
ride.

"Can't wait to ride him?" Petriv asked her with silent understanding.
After all, he had been the one who gave her her first riding lessons.

Zathris didn't bother using the mounting block, but slipped his foot into
the stirrup and pulled himself easily onto the back of the stallion. He
settled into the saddle with a comfortable ease. He eased the stallion
forward and started off at a slow walk. He glanced over at Benani, then
set the pace into a trot.

A grin split her face from ear to ear. Her husband sat a runner like
he was born to it and this animal was prime. "Oh he's beautiful," she
sighed unsure if she meant the man or the runner.

Zathris took time to set the runner through his paces. The gait was
smoooth, the motion rocking nad easy. Yes, he was a fine steed indeed.
And Benani?" His eyes roved over to his wife as he dismounted and a smile
broke over his face. He gave the spirited horse a pat upon his neck. "I
think I've found my new ride."

Last updated on the January 23rd 2011

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A Tithe Appreciated