Small Landen Village in Glacia, Late Summer (Thursday Fandom Time)

[glacial_queen]

A little more than a week ago, Karla had sent the vast majority of her Court away from Haven. One could hardly have a proper processional through one's home Territory without people smoothing the way. There were perspective soldiers to assemble, food to purchase, lodgings to prepare, Province Queens to quietly contact...And so Karla had sent her Court to prepare her way, possibly cackling, "Fly, my pretties, fly!" to herself because a girl has to make her own fun sometimes.

A few days later, a 'gift' from Khary and Morghann had come in the shape of a dozen beautiful Scelt-bred horses, led by four kindred Warlord horses. Those four stopped before Karla, Warren, Raven, and Dinah and bowed, giving each a respectful greeting from Lord Khardeen--though from Warren's rueful burst of laughter, it was likely that Khary had included a special message just for him.

The next morning at long-enough-after-dawn-for-coffee-because-we're-not-barbarians-Mother-Night-though-it's-still-a-ridiculous-time-to-leave o'clock, they headed out of Haven and made for Glacia. Though mountain traveling was never comfortable or easy, they made good time; they were too late for shockingly-fast summer storms and too early for the ferocious autumn ones. Though it snowed several times during their crossing, the snow itself was light and did not impede them much. With kindred horses leading the way, they didn't even need to worry about the horses finding proper footing or running the risk of broken ankles.

For a trip through mountains heading to war, it was surprisingly good natured. There was singing and story-telling, conversation and contemplation, bickering and bonding. They made good time and Karla was almost sorry to leave the mountains behind. Because the easy part of the summer was over. Now it was time to get down to work.

The first village they rode into had a surprise for them. There was Julian greeting them on the outskirts of the village wearing an insouciant grin. "My lady," he said with an exaggerated bow. "May I have the honor of giving you a present to celebrate the formation of your Court?"

Karla raised an eyebrow. "I do like presents," she agreed, confused but willing to play along. "Is it my uncle's head on a platter?"

Smirking, Julian shook his head. "No, but possibly better." He led her horse through the village to the open green at the center of it. Though very little of the green could be seen through the mass of men and women standing at strict attention, lined up in orderly, if somewhat ragged lines. "Lady," Julian said, with a bow, "may I present the beginnings of your army."

[For the Glacian contingent! NFB]

Comments

[kindrednotkind.livejournal.com]

*The pleasure is my, Lady.* One of the best things about psychic threads? You could talk and devour an apple at the same time! Mmm! *For the duration of this journey, I will carry you and protect you.*

[trigons_child]

Raven took a moment to stretch once Fleetfoot had finished the apple and tried to banish the soreness so she wasn't walking like she was 100 years old. Not all of it, though, since she knew it wouldn't make any of the following days easier if she didn't let herself become accustomed to spending the day in the saddle.

"It seems we are to stop for a time," she said, looking around. "So I should have time to groom you."

[kindrednotkind.livejournal.com]

*Well, so long as you don't mind,* Fleetfoot told her, helpfully calling in a currycomb.

Sure, there were servants who could likely do this, but if the kindred horses were carrying people, was it really too much to ask for them to take the time to groom their own horses?

[trigons_child]

As if Raven had any need for servants. Any time one tried to help her she would try to send him or her on their way to someone else, as politely as she could.

"I do not mind at all," she said, loosening the saddle straps so she could pull it from Fleetfoot's back.

[glacial_queen]

Raven was going to have such fun at the estate with the servants who would insist on waiting for her. Such. Fun.

"Kiss kiss," Karla said, coming up to hug Raven from behind and give Fleetfoot a nod and smile. "Less stiff than when we started, right?"

[trigons_child]

Make them stooooooop, Karla!

Raven leaned back against Karla with a sigh. "I do not understand how I can be so sore when all I am doing is sitting," she whined said.

[glacial_queen]

"Because your muscles are actually doing a lot of work, keeping you balanced and moving in rhythm," Karla said, a tad smugly.

Hey, she'd grown up riding a lot. Sure, she hadn't ridden for days on end...ever...but she was doing pretty well with the soreness, relatively speaking.

...She had another reason she might not be as tuckered out as everyone else, but that was a joke to be shared not where strangers could hear her. Heh.

[trigons_child]

Diiiirty?

"I am a little less sore each day," she said. "I will become more accustomed to riding before long. And Lord Fleetfoot has been very good to me."

[glacial_queen]

So dirty.

"I very much appreciate Khary's decision to send some kindred horses for those in the party who can't ride," Karla agreed. "And their own decision to volunteer to come along. I wasn't looking forward to trying to teach everyone to ride during the march."

[trigons_child]

"And I certainly would not wish to be a burden in that regard," Raven said, nodding. "Do not worry; I am doing fine."

And she'd be making the rounds in the village soon enough to make sure no one had any need of her gifts.

[glacial_queen]

Of course she would. And Karla would sulk that she couldn't join her, having to go around and be Queenly at everyone.

Sigh.

Her life was the hardest.

"So now the real work begins, hmm?"

[trigons_child]

SO hard. And if Raven was uncomfortable with servants hovering around her, wait until Karla had to deal with her fussing Court Healer. It was her job now. Nyah.

"Yes," Raven said. "But look how much you have done so far." She gestured to her new army.