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Post by meimei on Oct 27, 2008 21:18:51 GMT -6
Siyal glanced back as Ghelyn burst into song, her spirits lifted even higher with the traditional tune. Though she didn't add her own voice to it, she heard other members of Tavol pick up the song as they finally reached their camping ground. Pulling her mount to a stop, she couldn't fight a grin as she watched the first of the reunions of Tavol with family from the other bands. Her own eyes looked longingly toward the nearby encampments, but she got off her mount with a determined motion. She'd help set up Tavol's camp first, then go to visit Keyna. Her mother would lecture her for being impractical if she did otherwise, anyway. Giving the horse an affectionate pat on the neck, she headed over to where the packhorses that carried their tents and belongings were coming to a stop as well.
Waving at Ghelyn, she started joined the members untieing and sorting the tents and camp equipment. Setting up camp wouldn't take long at all, though they would probably have more visitors before it was completed. It would mean plenty of interruptions to the task, but also more hands to help set up the camp. She found herself humming along with the song still being sung by some of her bandmates as tents began to be pitched around her.
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Taraan glanced over his shoulder as the shouts went up to herald Tavol's arrival. Family and friendships alike were spread between the bands, so the musterings always brought the joy of reunion. More than anything he felt that the musterings were a celebration of all they were, and those they held dear. Seeing he was soon to lose his audience anyway, he ended the tale he'd been spinning quickly - watching as the children he'd held entranced moments before rushed off to greet Tavol. He chuckled as they were called out by Belarah for running, stretching out his muscles as he stood up from where he'd been seated.
He wasn't close to anyone in Tavol, and he'd already had a brief visit with Kren. He grimaced as he remembered his foster brother's sour remark about the new metal earring adorning his ear. Kren didn't take to his continued visits with the Trolls. He knew he'd never be able to put into words what drew him back. Part of it was the adventure, an experience that might make a new tale. Part of it was simply the chance to get his hand on new metal. Metal sung in his blood, whispered to him. And they had so precious little of it!
Noting when first Katha, then Nalreen and her sister left, Taraan stepped over to Belarah. "Can I be of any help?" He offered. "I'm up to any task." Pulling out his dagger, he held it up and the blade shifted shapes, taking on the guise of a spoon, then a ladle, then back to a blade. He offered a proud grin at the brief show of his shaping abilities before sheathing the dagger again.
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Post by Multi-Facets on Oct 28, 2008 18:38:33 GMT -6
*Ho, Tavol!* Far-Runner sent as he swept around the edge of the camp with Skyracer. *Come to join us at last, eh?* he added, teasing. *Good to see you!*
He gradually slowed the palomino and came back around at a trot, smiling at everyone as he came closer.
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Post by Anna on Nov 2, 2008 8:57:47 GMT -6
Waving at Ghelyn, she started joined the members untieing and sorting the tents and camp equipment. Setting up camp wouldn't take long at all, though they would probably have more visitors before it was completed. It would mean plenty of interruptions to the task, but also more hands to help set up the camp. She found herself humming along with the song still being sung by some of her bandmates as tents began to be pitched around her. "Go!" Ghelyn laughed, leaving her own tent to join Siyal. "I'll get your tent set up. I'll have plenty of help. Keyna will be as eager to see you, as you her!" Batting Siyal's gently away from the ties holding tentpoles and leather in place, Ghelyn deftly displaced her soul and gave her no other option but to leave the task to her. "Better start formulating your excuses, too. I don't think the ones from last year will work. You are getting a bit old not to be lifemated, you know," she added teasingly. Noting when first Katha, then Nalreen and her sister left, Taraan stepped over to Belarah. "Can I be of any help?" He offered. "I'm up to any task." Pulling out his dagger, he held it up and the blade shifted shapes, taking on the guise of a spoon, then a ladle, then back to a blade. He offered a proud grin at the brief show of his shaping abilities before sheathing the dagger again. Belarah reached over and tapped Taraan chidingly on the nose. "It's an immodest elf that feels the need to show off," she scolded mildly. "But an extra pair of hands will be welcome. Dig me a cooking pit, young trader. I feel the need for something more than soup or stew tonight." |
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Post by Anna on Nov 2, 2008 9:02:21 GMT -6
*Ho, Tavol!* Far-Runner sent as he swept around the edge of the camp with Skyracer. *Come to join us at last, eh?* he added, teasing. *Good to see you!* He gradually slowed the palomino and came back around at a trot, smiling at everyone as he came closer. "Ho, Sei-Ru!" Tevac answered, having already peeled away from his settling bandmates and started herding the unbonded and unburdened horses away. "Our range is further away than anyone elses; only makes sense that it takes us longer. Easy traveling for Ouren?" |
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Post by peachbug on Nov 2, 2008 13:23:47 GMT -6
Ki-Nava gripped Hornhoof's pale mane firmly as she began to walk towards the camp center, the heart of the Mustering when the day's light began to die. Clicking softly, more for her own comfort than the mare's, she led the way through the thick grass, admiring it's lush green, something Hornhoof admired as well as she strained for a nibble. "Silly girl," The elf muttered. "Get on then." She patted her side, letting Hornhoof wander back to the growing Tavol encampment. "Have to go to all this mess myself."
When Ki-Nava had been a youngling, she had been too shy to truly appreciate the Mustering, the sights, smells, and new stallions frightening her into the nearest tent. Once her parents fostered Hanek, her fears had waned. With his passing, the Mustering left her wary, the old fears poking holes in new experience. She never showed her jitters though, and doubted any of the Tavol band even recalled her old worries. The gray haired elf turned to look over her shoulder at the band's camp.
Ki-Nava watched Sohnji and her lifemates reunite with their daughters with satisfaction; they had waited a long year for the joy of it and it was well deserved. All the band would scatter now, finding all loves and children. Few of her children remained among the tribes and she rarely sought them, if only for the knowledge they were in good spirits and life.
As she turned back, she spotted a familiar face amongst the tents. Chetta looked as lively as ever, her daughter's face rounded with the smile that kept her ever popular amongst the tribes. Ki-Nava gave a slight nod to her daughter and pressed through to the camp center, eager to greet ones who did not arise such a grip on her heart.
**Belarah,** She smiled as she stepped briskly forward. **I pray you've kept your cooking up. I can't bear to see what these young pups want to put on the fire tonight...**
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Post by peachbug on Nov 2, 2008 14:00:14 GMT -6
Ti-Len lay back on the smooth, flat expanse of rock on which he sat, listening to the hoofbeats of the Tavol band all the way across camp. He had no particular drive to leap to this coming; he was friendly among the bands on the most part, but he had few ties worth running to for. His mother was likely arriving among the Tavol, but she needed no greeting for herself or him.
Ti-Len admired a lone hawk drifting overhead, dipping slightly. The sky was cloudless, something he partially regretted. His love of the tales of stars and shapes was ever strong with him. Clouds were ever new in their stories, and he enjoyed them much more for that.
Chetta's sendings reached him as a surprise, he was so possessed in his daydream.
**Where's your fun, brother?** She sent sharply. **You'll be sleeping through the Mustering if I didn't say a thing.**
**That'd be well enough.** Ti-Len smiled finally. **You might have to feed me as I lay here though, else I forget.**
A long pause distanced after his sending, and he waited anxiously for her reply.
"I'll leave that to some unlucky girl." Chetta snorted, tapping her foot behind his head. Her brother started, then rolled his eyes back to look at her playfully. "Up, before I break your ankles for making me walk so far to get you."
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Post by Kris on Nov 2, 2008 15:33:10 GMT -6
"I'll go with you," Nalreen announced to Tevac. She waved to Sohnji and Astierri, who scooped up Ksiva and headed off to set up their tent.
They were passed by Sei-Ru, who called out a greeting to Tevac. Nalreen grinned at Far-Runner and waved as they continued towards the herd. "How many foals has Bolt sired since the last Muster, Papa?" she asked.
"One I thought you might like to see. She's quite a beauty. She'd be a fit mount for you . . ."
Nalreen nodded, feeling a familiar sadness. "I just haven't found a foal that fits me the way Honeycoat did," she admitted. "I miss her still."
"I know." Tevac placed a hand on her shoulder, and Nalreen leaned against him. "It's hard to lose your first horse . . ."
"Ho! Nalreen!" A maiden rode up to them and came to a stop, her short hair ruffled by the breeze. She dismounted and came up to Tevac. "Hello, herdmaster! It's good to see you again."
"Hello, Caryo." Tevac nodded at her mare. "Is that one still spooking at ground-rats?"
"Not anymore, thanks." Caryo hugged him. "Welcome to the Mustering, Tevac. How's Sohnji and Astierri?"
"Have you seen Katha?" Nalreen looked around for her lovemate. "I'll have to find her and let her know you're all here."
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Post by meimei on Nov 2, 2008 18:50:34 GMT -6
Siyal grinned as Ghelyn deftly manuevered her out of the way. There was plenty of hands for the task as it looked like more visitors were coming to see them than members of their own band were going out.. Not surprising as they were last to arrive, as always, so the other bands camps were already set up.
She laughed, giving Ghelyn a teasing swat on the arm for the comment. "My excuse is the same as last year and the year before that. It will happen when it happens. I'm content. Since when are you on Keyna's side about that? You were pretty fond of your own freedom until Verrim convinced you otherwise."
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Taraan only chuckled at Belarah's chiding. He'd known better than to think he'd impress the band elder with the display, but he hadn't been able to resist. "I never claimed to be modest." He offered with a wink.
He set to the task without a complaint, digging into the tougher topsoil with his knife until he found the softer soil beneath. Then he called forth his magic again, shaping the knife into a spade to aid his task. It was showing off again, and rather a wasteful use of his powers when a wooden or bone spade would have done the trick. Still, his powers weren't called for very often, and his knife was so used to being used in such a way that it welded easily to his request. It was partly the joy of being able to use his powers that prompted him, though if someone watching was impressed it would certainly be no disappointment.
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Post by Multi-Facets on Nov 5, 2008 22:21:28 GMT -6
"Ho, Sei-Ru!" Tevac answered, having already peeled away from his settling bandmates and started herding the unbonded and unburdened horses away. "Our range is further away than anyone elses; only makes sense that it takes us longer. Easy traveling for Ouren?" Far-Runner gave Tevac an easy smile as Skyracer finally slowed to a walk, and guided her closer to the herd the other elf was guiding. Not too close, however; introductions hadn't yet been made among the animals, and it was best not to push it. "Easy and made in excitement," he answered, and slid to the ground so he could walk a little closer to Tevac. "You should have heard Mika and Shunka," he mentioned, meaning a lifemated pair who were both excellent tanners. "They were so pleased by the journey, the first thing they did was take hides to Kwahadi, Zaltana and Kekoa to be painted for the occasion, singing the entire way. All five of them are a formidable team when it comes to their art. Tell me, how did your tribe's journey fare?" |
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Post by peachbug on Nov 6, 2008 19:29:14 GMT -6
Ki-Nava smiled at the banter between the elder Belarah and Taraan, crossing her arms and watching him begin his arduous digging. "Have your fun, young one, I'm sure you'll have plenty of time to show off later as well. Maybe we can wear down that gift of yours for once!"
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