Who Needs Animal Trainers When You Have Cavaliers [Grackis]

[Vitae]

if i'm a danger to myself Just think what I could do to you Mikoto Words: 309

    The sky was covered in gray clouds that would not let a trickle of sunlight through as Vitae rode across the coast on his steed Fallax. Pulling back on the reigns Vitae let his ally slow down as he hooked around the winding bank that laid right on the Thames River. Twisting past the corner Vitae prepared Notus in his hand and as he ran past a mob jumped off of Fallax and plunged his trusty spear straight into the thick meaty arm of a Young Sahaugin that was picking at the bones of a dead crab. Placing his feet on the rest of the mob's arm Vitae ferociously pulled out his spear and jumped away. Blood trailed after Vitae as he landed and again spurred forward ready to slam through the monster's throat, but alerted by the pain the humanoid fish threw away the bone and knocked down Vitae's attack and parried by biting at him.

    Feeling the attack going in another direction Vitae immediately twisted his body, predicting the parry, and slammed into the fish with his foot, but that two was blocked. Now off tittered Vitae summed up all the strength in his leg, the one solid on the ground, and rolled back. Springing back up Vitae saw the beast charging at him, but no fear ran through him as Vitae whistled and in came Fallax charging. The moment Fallax got close enough he rose on his two hind legs and started kicking forward, acting as a diversion as Vitae ran behind the mob and plunged Notus into its thick neck, killing it instantly and releasing the built up tension in Vitae's muscles as he watched the spray of bubbles fly off. Taking a deep breath Vitae let it out slowly and then moved over to Fallax and gave him a soft pat on the head.

OWL

[Mikoto]

She'd been watching the fight from just out of sight. A druid by the look of it. A mage of some variety definitely. That much was obvious by the persons gear. They were also a cavalier which was confirmed by their own big brute of mount. The horse looked healthy, no way of knowing if it was a mare or a stallion till they were side by side, though these beasts of burden didn't run the risk of sickness quite as easily as their real world counterparts. She'd been too busy studying the mages mount to notice his dismount till after the fighting had begun. The fight didn't take too long to conclude. A bit rash and perhaps foolish but not the best way.

The cavalier class was meant to be utilized as a mounted combatant. The horse added a slight boost to damage and speed allowing the rider to hit the enemy harder and faster. She supposed that this mage wasn't comfortable fighting from horseback. Perhaps he could barely maintain control of the surging force between his legs? She pondered it for a moment before urging her own beast forward. "Excuse me," she called as her trusted steed carried her forward. Bedwyr, her own steed, had come a long way since her first ride with him whee his own shadow had been terrifying to him. Now he carried himself with the same brash arrogance as a stallion would with his harem of mares. She presumed that eventually he'd transition into a fierce war horse who couldn't be bothered by the little things. "What you are a fellow cavalier yes? May I ask what level your skill is?"

[Vitae]

if i'm a danger to myself Just think what I could do to you Mikoto Words: 332

Initially warned by small grunt from Fallax, Vitae kept calm as he turned only at the sound of the person behind him's voice. The first thing that Vitae picked up about the other being was that she was female as he picked up from the sound of her voice, next from the words she spoke Vitae made a reasonable guess that she was an Adventurer and not a Person of the Land most likely, also from her words Vitae knew she was of the Cavalier sub-class like he was, and finally from sight Vitae saw that the female Adventurer was human. Looking at her horse he saw that it was a healthy black stallion that exuded an aura of confidence that didn't end and Vitae liked that as it meant this woman was a fine care taker. Patting Fallax who showed signs of intimidation Vitae smile at the woman and said, "Yes I am a Cavalier, but I'm only level 1 so I don't feel quite comfortable fighting at top of Fallax here. That's why I'm out here trying my best to learn how to do so, but I really haven't gotten anywhere yet."

Turning around for a moment Vitae proceeded to put one leg in the strap and then lift the rest of himself over the saddle and seat himself comfortably onto his mount. Placing Notus in the holster on his back Vitae looked back at the woman and decided to greet himself. Moving Fallax forward until Vitae was in arms reach Vitae then stuck out his right hand and said, "By the way I'm Vitae, it's a pleasure to meet you miss." While waiting for a reply back Vitae took his left hand and moved over near her steed's face as a sign of greeting to him and to show that he meant no harm to him or his master. While doing this action Vitae hoped that he hadn't offended neither of his new acquaintances as he meant no disrespect.

OWL

[Mikoto]

She shook the riders hand while Bedwyr kept his head back and leaned it away not wanting the strange man to touch his face. Finicky horse he was meant that he was prone to such acts. And while it was excusable for him as he was an animal it still did not make her feel any better about.  He's introduced himself and she'd been about to when she had needed to rebalance herself upon Bedwyrs mighty back. "I am Mikoto," she finally got out as the bay colored beast between her thighs settled just out of reach of his hand once more.

She rubbed the side of her steeds neck in the caring way only a cavalier could. "Might I offer you some advice?" she ventured as Bedwyr lowered his muzzle to the earth and began to nip at the rich river bank scrub. Succulent they would be to his belly and far more tender to his teeth than the usual dry hay and oats he was fed.  Depending on how the young mage answered would deteremine what she a seasoned equestrian would offer up to him if anything.

First matter of concern was building trust with you mount. There were thing she would not do with Bedwyr. She would not force him into close melee with multiple enemies. he simply was not strong enough in his confidence to withstand such a battering. Building the confidence of a war horse also depended on their sex. Mares needed to be taught to fight like a stallion. Stallions could and would fight with very little training as their blood boiled and surged within their bodies naturally. Once a steed was taught to fight you had to pick and choose the battles it fought to allow it victories from whcih it could continue to grow its confidence and strength. This meant being in complete control of your horse at all times. Being in strong enough command to keep the creature from running off and biting off more than it could handle. But before all that it was best to master control of your horse. She'd spent many days training Bedwyr to run and follow her commands. She'd taught him to be lead with just her knees should she ever need both hands to fend off attackers. She'd taught him to charge directly at the enemy without fear and not shy away from close passes. These were all the things a warhorse needed to be successful. And most of all they needed a competent rider at their reigns. 

Vitae | 424 | Merry Christmas

fire bade him last farewell