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Post by Multi-Facets on Nov 28, 2008 18:07:13 GMT -6
It was obvious Skyracer could sense something big was going to happen: She had been prancing about all day, and generally being a nuisance when Far-Runner had to check her legs and hooves, and give them some gentle stretches. The elf finally had enough and quite sternly told her to settle down or he would pluck her tail bald. Of course he didn't mean it, but the tone of his voice made the mare collect herself.
The sun was low in the sky, but not quite setting when elves and their horses started for the wild field that traditionally held one of the Mustering games: For lack of a better name, it was simply called "Charge".
Each partnered pair would run for three targets of rawhide, lined up one after the other from smallest to tallest, and try to shoot as close as possible to the red dot painted in the center of each target. To do this, each elf used three arrows painted with their particular design or color.
After the targets were shot, the partners would have to circle around the last target, try to grab a small flag that had been stuck in the ground in front of the first target, and make it back for the starting line. One elf, usually an adolescent without a horse, was trusted to stand at the start/finish line and count how long it took for the course to be completed.
The desired time to finish the run was around a count of twenty, give or take a couple of heartbeats, but the long-dead Mha-Tak of Shellan had held a record of a count of seventeen for three straight Musterings, giving many competitors a goal to beat. It was unlikely, of course, but fun to try.
The game required fast reflexes, sharp eyes, good aim, balance and agility on the part of the horse, and enough trust in one's horse and riding skills to avoid falling off while leaning off the horse's side to grab the flag.
Far-Runner loved the event: It was a chance to prove to himself how much better he had gotten since the last Mustering, and have fun. He did well half the time, and had actually won once before, which had been a pleasant surprise. Today he hoped he would be able to beat his last time, which had been an exact count of twenty.
He mounted Skyracer to give her a warm-up before the game began.
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Post by meimei on Dec 6, 2008 0:47:36 GMT -6
Taraan strolled over to where the first game would be taking place - watching as Far-Runner and Skyracer warmed up. Though he wasn't inept at riding, he knew he was no match for those who be competing today. Taraan kept his competitive streak to areas where he knew he'd shine.
He grinned as he watched others began to gather. **Going to beat Mha-Tak's record this year, Far-Runner?** He sent to his bandmate as he got comfortable in a spot where he could have a good view of the competition.
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Post by Multi-Facets on Dec 8, 2008 1:23:28 GMT -6
Ah, that was Taraan. Far-Runner looked around for his bandmate, and spotted him among the spectators. **I'm going to have fun trying!** he replied, grinning widely. **Wish me luck, eh?**
He seated himself more securely, tightening his knees, and steered towards the starting line. He always found it best to go first in all competitions, if possible; it did wonders for the nerves. If there wasn't a possibility for that, some time talking with Skyracer helped settle Far-Runner.
Of course he knew it was all fun, but wanting to do well tended to make some people nervous sometimes. Far-Runner was one of them, even if his pride didn't let him admit it.
He leaned over to make sure Skyracer's hooves were an acceptable length behind the starting line that had been cut into the dirt, put an arrow to the string of his longbow, and sent to the timekeeper that he was ready.
"Ready! Set! GO!"
"YEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" Far-Runner whooped as Skyracer leaped forward, carrying him towards the first target. He fired and missed the center by a hair, and swiftly nocked the next arrow, aiming a little more to the left. This arrow went true, but the count was up to seven already. Far-Runner urged Skyracer to run faster as he sighted down the last arrow to fire.
The last arrow went just shy of the center as well, and the elf hastily hung the bow high across his chest as Skyracer zipped around the third target and went back to the first. The archer grabbed his mare's mane, slid sideways and snatched up the flag in front of the smallest target, pulling himself upright with a yell of triumph.
The pair shot across the finish line to a count of "Twenty!"
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Post by meimei on Dec 13, 2008 13:28:54 GMT -6
*Best of luck!* Taraan sent, watching as Far-runner set himself up at the starting line. The time-keeper gave the shout to go, and he held his breath as the elf and horse raced across the grounds to the targets. The arrows were close to the center, but Taraan could already tell the time was going too quickly. Shouts of excitement went up at Far-Runner's own yell of triumph upon grabbing the flag. When the time shout went up, more cheers followed. There was still room for another pair to beat the count, but it was hardly a poor showing.
Taraan slipping out of his spot for a moment to join others from Ouren congratulating the run. "Not your best showing - last year's was a better tale!" He teased with a grin as a new flag was set for the next runner.
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Post by peachbug on Dec 14, 2008 15:15:11 GMT -6
"Will this be your best, Taraan?" Chetta sidled up with her hands on her hips, batting her eyelashes jokingly. "I would like to have some real competition this year, so don't play." She glanced to Sei-Ru with a smile. "Not Mha-Tak perhaps, but just as well. Perhaps celebration later? I doubt anyone will break twenty this Mustering." She teased. As the new flag was set and prepared, she slid back into the excited crowd, winking. *I certainly hope you don't get lost on your way 'round!* She sent to Taraan.
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Post by Multi-Facets on Dec 15, 2008 1:17:58 GMT -6
Yes, last year had been better. He'd actually hit the centers of the all targets then. Far-Runner took the jibe well, smiling and shrugging at Taaran, but he was already resolving to do better at the next Mustering.
Chetta's offer of a celebration helped take off some of the sting, though. "I would like that," he said before she left, and dismounted to hand off the flag to one of the Plainsrunners who were in charge of setting up the flags. He would collect his arrows later; they had to stay in the targets to identify who made which shot.
"Come, Skyracer; I'll rub you down before I come back and watch," Far-Runner told his mare, and lead her away.
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Post by peachbug on Dec 15, 2008 17:21:34 GMT -6
Ki-Nava watched Sei-Ru retreat with a smile. She hadn't competed in the last few Musterings, with a preference to watch and cheer her band with enthusiasm, but a flicker of youth sprung in her at the games this year. If time allowed, she would take her place amongst the competitors of this year's Charge. Her best time even at her prime had been twenty two, with a younger horse and a vibrant spirit, so she chuckled to think what time she would pick up in these years.
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Post by meimei on Dec 19, 2008 22:48:58 GMT -6
Taraan had had no intention of competing. He was far better at telling stories of the victories at the games than winning them himself. Though Far-runner seemed to take his teasing well, he worried the jibe had hit harder than he meant. But it slipped from his mind when Chetta showed up, obviously ready to ride out on Charge herself.
*You? Compettition? You'll be lucky to make it around at 25!* He sent after her in response to her jibes at him. "Hmph. Maybe Funnel is up to a turn..." He muttered, though he made no move to go find his bond-horse. Still, he found himself too irked to pay full attention as the next set - a pair from Mencul - took their turn.
The time shout of "Twenty-One!" brought his attention back to the game, and he turned to watch the next rider.
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Post by Kris on Dec 22, 2008 0:34:34 GMT -6
"Not bad, for a half-grown foal," Nalreen heard Astierri remark, and rolled her eyes. Astierri loved these games, and she watched as he prepared to select his partner and enter the contest.
Sohnji tossed her hair back and retorted, "Just keep in mind, those arrows belong in the targets, not in someone else's foot!" There were chuckles from those who recalled the year Astierri, caught off guard by a bee-sting, had made an erratic shot that pinned a tribemate by the boot to the ground. Sohnji had not appreciated having to hold the hysterical youngster still, take out the arrow, and heal the wound in front of a crowd.
"Nalreen!" Ksiva raced up to her sister. "C'mon! Let's go racing! I've got a bow--"
"What?" Nalreen caught her little sister by the arm. "Oh, no you don't! This is for grown-ups! You go put that bow back, and find a place to watch."
"I don't want to watch! I can shoot, too!"
"Ksiva," Nalreen warned, just as Tevac walked up. "Papa! Let's go take Ksiva to see the new foals!"
"I already saw them! I saw all of them! I want to play too, Papa, I want to shoot the targets too!" Ksiva brandished her bow and quiver as Tevac drew a deep breath. "Please, Papa? Can't I?"
Nalreen heaved a sigh of relief as Tevac attempted to keep Ksiva from running off to join Astierri. She looked around, wondering if Katha planned to take part as well. *Katha? Lovemate? Want to see how well we'll do in this game?*
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Post by peachbug on Dec 25, 2008 19:26:21 GMT -6
Ti-Len observed his sister's banter with Taraan with some amusement, but kept to the sidelines, however inching discreetly towards the front. He enjoyed these games, but Charge was never his favorite to actually compete in. Simple archery and racing by itself was enough for him; if he was going to do something, he preferred to devote the whole of his mind to it, not both at the same time. It was still entertaining though. **You are competing, Chetta?** He sent. If his sister intended to take part, he would certainly stick around for it.
Ksiva's shouts caught his ears and he smiled. He loved the young ones of the tribes and their silly simplicity, but the children had never returned the affections as readily as they had with Chetta or the rowdier adults. His quieter manners left him mostly an awkward annoyance to young ones and he had learned to leave it to the parents of the children for comfort and interests.
**Yes, I'm hoping if I can keep my mare's mind on something more than a patch of grass.** Chetta strained against the side of her greatly stubborn Blacksnort, the dark horse straining to catch another nibble before taking a few conceding steps to the side. **This is ridiculous!**
"High Ones, it's not-even-that-far-!" Chetta puffed and gave another shove. Blacksnort stepped away and landed her elf on her belly. She whinnied with approval and continued her grazing.
Ki-Nava passed her daughter with eyes wide and eyebrow raised, but patted her Hornhoof quickly past before Chetta managed to notice.
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