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Post by Elanorîn on Jul 17, 2005 4:26:14 GMT -5
Taur had only just reached the hay as the horse grew increasingly restless again. At first it just scraped its hoof to the floor repeatedly and then it started moving around. Before long a very loud THUNK crack was heard as the horse put its hoof through the rickety wood and whinnied loudly.
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Post by taur on Jul 17, 2005 4:31:06 GMT -5
Taur raises an eyebrow and watches the horse, wondering exactly what it would do now. He had no real inclination to help the man or woman who rode the horse. If anything, he would like to see the horse run off, into the distance. Of course, he could be blamed for the incident as well. As a slave, he would not be thanked and very likely not rewarded, so why should he bother assisting one who hunted those who got away?
He glanced at Jared, wondering if the sounds had jarred him awake.
Funny. Horses seemed to be quite troublesome today.
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Post by Elanorîn on Jul 17, 2005 4:42:05 GMT -5
If Jared had heard the noise he didn't give any show of it. He lie completely still like before in the large pile of straw, seemingly asleep.
The horse whinnied again and a scraping sound could be heard as it pulled its leg free from the hole through the splintered wood. It was moving around less now though it still didn't seem happy.
Above the boxes there is part of a second floor to the barn though it doesn't stretch completely across the width of the building but runs along the walls on opposing sides. To reach it there is a ladder leaning up, one on each side. From below it seems the space is mostly used for storing more hay, straw and numerous sacks of probably oats or something like it. Taur spots something dark sticking out of one of the piles of straw, it looks like some kind of fabric, most of it is kept from view. he also notices a slender man dressed entirely in black some way away walking in the direction towards the stables.
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Post by taur on Jul 17, 2005 4:51:28 GMT -5
Taur tilts his head to the left, his braid sliding across his shoulder. The beads clicked against each other near his ear quietly as he considers. Not more than two seconds passed before he shrugged and immediatly started up the ladder, to see what was up there.
He was still "property". If nothing else, it was unlikely he would be killed for being curious. Possibly broken, but that hardly bothered him. It had happened many times before. He had a long record of defiance.
Still, he made sure to see what it was with haste. He'd rather not face the figure when he had several matches to look forward to.
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Post by Elanorîn on Jul 17, 2005 4:57:48 GMT -5
The figure was not moving fast and if it kept moving at the same pace straight for the stables it could be expected to arrive there some three or so minutes later.
The dark fabric was a piece of finely woven wool sticking out from one of the piles of hay. Brushing it aside Taur would find it wrapped around a small pack, a linen shirt that was quite wet, the remainder of a loaf of bread that seemed a bit stale and a small bottle half-filled with clear liquid.
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Post by taur on Jul 17, 2005 5:06:53 GMT -5
Interesting. That was about the only word that came to mind. He quickly looked through the assorted items to see if there was more, but he did not spend too much time on it. He pushed the hay and straw back on top of it, then climbed down and took a seat in the straw, waiting for the cloaked figure to enter the barn.
Funny... he was tempted to strike the figure when he entered, just to see how far he could go with an opponent such as this. He suppressed the urge, and waited.
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Post by Elanorîn on Jul 17, 2005 5:18:58 GMT -5
A minute later the black figure came in to the barn. It was a man, tall with dark long hair tied away at the neck losely and dark brown eyes and tanned skin. His clotes, all in black, were very fine, his long legs clad in leather and his upper body in finely woven linen with subtle embroidery woven in to the fabric in black. Around his waist he had a belt which held four large daggers, one pair and two separate. One of the daggers appeared to be of silver from what could be seen and the almost black wooden handle had an inlay swirled around it looking not dissimilar to a ribbon. Over one shoulder he carried a pack that seemed quite full and a crossbow was in one hand, loaded with a bolt.
The man, in his mid to late 30's, barely cast a glance at Taur and Jared and continued in silence with determined strides towards the restless horse that immediately shone up. He set the pack down by the box and went about saddling the horse that though eager to get moving was not resisting the process.
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Post by taur on Jul 17, 2005 15:31:40 GMT -5
It was best not to say a word in an instance such as this. If anything, with a man as dangerous as the one before him, he should have remained absolutely silent and just let things be. Let the assassin move on, and leave his life.
He didn't feel like it, though. So he spoke up.
"Horse wild. Break wall. Might have hurt it."
It was not so much the need to be helpful that made him speak as it was his mood. He wanted to see what would happen.
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Post by Elanorîn on Jul 17, 2005 15:50:46 GMT -5
The man threw threw a thoughtful glance in Taur's direction as he tichtened one of the many straps of the bridle. He returned to what he was doing until he was completely satisfied it was on properly. His tanned hands moved silently, quickly without being rushed and skillfully.
Once done he steps back from the horse and eyes the legs over carefully with squinted eyes. A moment later he bends down and disappears from view and stays down.
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Post by taur on Jul 17, 2005 15:56:02 GMT -5
Taur cracked his neck and watched the man and his horse in silence. The reaction wasn't hostile, at least. Pretty simple, actually. He respected that, in a way. Very level headed.
He toyed with his braid while he watched, wondering how else he could pass the time. He was not as patient as some, and he was a little excited. He wanted to see this capital, to move on. It would figure that Artanis was slowing things down and making life just a little more annoying. He had a talent for it, Taur believed.
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Post by Elanorîn on Jul 17, 2005 16:19:05 GMT -5
The man is out of sight for some time and the horse seems to stop moving around as if it is balancing on three legs. It and the man remains silent for a long while.
Some fifteen minutes later he re-emerges and the sound of the horse setting a hoof down hard on the floor can be heard. He pats the horse with firm pats on the neck and picked up the saddle and went about putting it on.
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Post by taur on Jul 17, 2005 16:51:44 GMT -5
Taur supposed the man was checking on his horse, to make sure it wasn't injured. That was his guess, anyways. Fifteen minutes was aweful long for such a thing, however, so he wondered if the man had done anything else.
He stood and looked around, no longer very interested in the assassin before him. He decided to step outside, and pulled out the massive Notbora. Clicking the central lock, he unfolded the weapon and began to swing it, practicing in the only way he knows how: pushing himself to his limit.
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Post by Elanorîn on Jul 17, 2005 17:02:41 GMT -5
Outside Taur can see the horses a little way away. They hadn't gone far, only to the nearest shady grass patch where they were now happily munching away, no sign of Kynak though if he had remained where he was he would be out of sight anyway.
Should Taur glance towards the balcony he would see a much less smiling girl being led inside by the now red-faced sweaty man. He didn't close the door but a pale long curtain sheltered any view.
Jared opened one eye as Taur walked out but didn't say anything, he glanced towards the black horse and then closed his eyes again.
From inside the stables were the muffled sounds of the black horse moving around in being prepared for a ride.
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Post by taur on Jul 17, 2005 17:22:46 GMT -5
The Notbora comes down hard on the ground, cracking it slightly as he tried his best to ignore the people on the balcony. He wasn't interested in them or their activities. He was focused on the battle that raged in his mind, remembering the sword strokes that his past opponents have used against him and adjusting for them. His eyes were open, but he only just barely noticed the outer world. He was more interested in focusing his spirit for the challenges he would meet in the capitol.
He didn't completely block the outer world, though. It would be foolish to ignore it absolutely. He noticed that the horses were not that far, and was happy because of it. It saved time.
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Post by Elanorîn on Jul 17, 2005 17:41:44 GMT -5
The slow clapper of hooves on the hard surface of the barn could be heard slowly emerging towards the outside, the pace seemed even though it seemed like it slowed a little at one point but not for long. The man was now riding he black horse that looked much more happy to be moving and they came to the big opening of the barn where he halted. One leg of the horse, the left hind, was noticeably wrapped in some form of cloth around the whitlock. The white fabric very striking against the black coat of the horse but it didn't seem to limp.
The man looked at Taur where he was practising with a calm expression waiting for eyecontact. Should he get it he would give a clear nod to Taur.
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