Just North of Daina

He could tell that his stance had put her in an awkward position. Not one of his intentions but he always tried to do what he thought was right, even if it cost him in the long run. She apolgized for her comment about slave-holding and he nodded. "Its okay." he said quietly, still slightly offended by it. He had frightened her so he took a step back and placed his hands in his pockets. Attempting to weaken the barrier between them.

He remained silent in thought for a few minutes. He knew what he had asked would require a bit of thinking from her, but he didn't want to make this take any longer then it had to. He watched her move the plate of meat away from the flames and nodded as she began speaking. His face lit up but then quickly hardened. "Take your time. I will find you a horse." He said confidently. "I meet you at dawn. South gate." He said again making sure she met it. "Bring your things, i'll find you a horse." He said plainly. "See you then." he said as he rose his hood and left the building, not another word out of him.

The door closed quietly behind him as he took the reins of his huge steed. He clicked his tongue. "Come on." he told the horse as he pulled it with him and made his way back across town to the Staff and Song. The feeling that hung in the street was gone now. But who knew where it lie now. It could be ahead of him on the path to come, waiting for him. He remained on edge as he passed through town, a few lanterns lit the streets but other then that it was quiet. He tied his horse to the fence outside the Staff and Song and went back inside. "I need another horse." he said as he opened the door, knowing Pious stood at the door now, he had to at these late hours couldn't just let anyone stay for the night.

"For the woman. By dawn." He said tossing a handful of coins to Pious who nodded, "]Take Stella. She's the grey in the stall. Heart of steel and strong too. She'll be able to keep up with Mandarb." Isaac nodded and made his way back out, heading over to the stall through the light snow and holding the torch in his hand to examine the horses. He approached the horse Pious identified as Stella. She was large and built for speed, but in no means was she a war horse. She would do well. He took the reins and the beast wickered shaking his head and pulling against him. "Easy." he spoke softly, and the horse listened. Most elves could soothe animals easier then humans Isaac was no different.

He led the horse out and gathered Mandarbs reins as well heading across town to the shop to gather supplies. The trek would be hard, and he needed as much as he could get. He had nearly nothing of use, fortunately, Isaac was one of the richer people in the world. However he rarely paid in full. He had a way of convincing others to lower prices for him. He smiled entering the shop, within a few minutes he exited, arms full as he began to pack Mandarbs pack.

As he finished packing he then went back into the shop, and bought two saddles and mounted both the horses with them. Mandarb didn't even flinch when he put it on, however Stella, she moved and trotted so it took him a few minutes to actually get it on her. After that, he packed up what he had gathered and mounted them onto the horses. His horse had much more on it since Eruraina had not placed her items onto her horse yet. On each was a standard bedroll, which laid behind each of the saddles. He rubbed his horses nose and gathered them both before making his way back to the Staff and Song and placing them in their stalls. He gave the stable boy a few coin as an extra incentive to not allow anything to happen to these horses. The boy grinned and nodded acknowledging what he had to do.

It was already late, he could maybe acquire a couple hours of sleep he thought as he entered the building. He produced a key from inside his jacket and moved upstairs opening the final door in the hallway, a personal room he had for when he was in Wyrnos. He moved inside, shed his coat, fire already brewing in the hearth and fell into the bed. Falling asleep quickly.



In his mind he slept peacefully, until a dark voice began to speak to him in his dream. It was in a tongue he could not recognize. Suddenly the voice spoke plainly. "I'm coming for you!"



He sat bolt upright, sweat coating his skin as he stood up and ran his hands through his hair. He moved to a small washbasin at the corner of the room and splashed himself with some water. Using a towel there to dry. He sighed and stood up. He would not be able to fall back asleep any time soon so he decided to just get ready. He went downstairs, the cooks were just beginning their meals, meaning dawn was about 30 minutes away. He got a hot-cake and some porridge from the cooks while it was still hot and went outside, the sun still not visible but for a tiny glow of light on the horizon.

He mounted Mandarb in the stall and took Stella by the reins, their steel shoes clacked against the cobblestone beneath the snow on the street quietly as he walked the two horses to the gate. With his hood raised in that burgundy color again and his eyes set ahead he waited for his companion in silence. The horses remained still except for the occasional blowing of air.

He waited in the chill of dawn for his companion. Deep in thought, the sudden noise of another set of feet approaching awoke him from his thoughts, and he quickly refreshed himself. "Is this the horse for me?" Her voice chimed, and he nodded, still tired and not exactly the most warming person in the morning. He adjusted his cloak and pants. "Her name is Stella. We ride for Sivanas. Where we'll take ferry to Adliet and then ride to Anahera. I estimate three days ride. And one on the ferry if we do not linger too long. Are you sure you want to leave?" he asked, now directing his eyes towards her. This was it. Your either in or your out. He looked at her with the cool certainty that she would come. Yet kept his mind open in case she didn't.

Once she had answered, he pressed his heels lightly into the sides of Mandarb. The horse began at a modest trot, much faster then any human could run but still an easy pace for the war horse. He took careful note of his horse. It had much to learn, it had been trained to ride, pull, or run. Not to fight. A horse was a weapon too however, and Isaac was not about to allow himself to be placed on a horse that reared when his opponents horse charged. He needed an animal that charged head-first. The runner Eruraina sat atop of, was a much different story. It was built for speed. Which was good, there are things that a horse is good for, and that they are not. A horse with speed generally stands firmer then those without, since speed is one of the only ways horses determine each others strength.

He looked ahead at the snow. As they traveled south it would become warmer, but not much, maybe 5 degrees at best. Once they crossed the sea however a good 15 degree increase could be expected. This was something that Isaac did look forward to. He had had about enough of Wyrnos autumn. They had a long ride ahead of them.


[[Topic Will end after your post]]