Dhorisha Plains - Kata'shin'a'in

[stardragon]

All activity on the plains or at Kata'shin'a'in goes here. Please Head your posts with Plains- or Kata'shin'a'in- for clarity.

[stardragon]

SETTING:

Kata'shin'a'in is the only town on the edge of the Dhorisha plains. It's core is mad eup of several very old grey stone buildings. The rest of the town is seasonal. Tents appearing and disappearing with the traders and the Shin'a'in at the yearly fairs.


The Dhorisha plains are grasslands for as far as the eye can see. Where the plains meet Kata'shin'a'in there is no cliff to speak of but from that point on, in both directions making a near perfect circle, all the way around the cliff looms several miles high and sheer, cutting off the plains from outsiders.

The Shin'a'in themselves, live in tents and move from one secret watering hole to the next along with the seasonal flow. Each clan has a general area they wander through and they take special care to never stay in one place too long both for safety and care for nature reasons.

[oelinuial]

[glow=red,2,300]Plains[/glow]


Malloriel exited the Shaman's tent, stretched, and massaged her temples . Today's lesson had been longer, and more intense, than usual and she had a headache. She knew just who to go to to get something for that and so she trotted off.

Ten minutes later saw her back in her own tent and minus the headache. Since she didn't have anything else she needed to do Malloriel decided to restring her bow as the current string was starting to get a bit frayed and she didn't want it to break on her when she needed it. So taking down her bow and reaching under her cot for her kit she went to work on her bow.

She'd just finished when she heard footsteps outside her tent. Setting the bow aside she glanced up just in time to see a head poke around the tent flap. It was her youngest brother and she waved him in.

Shaking his head, "Can't stop, I've been sent to gather the scouts and you're wanted on this one Lori."

Standing up, "Thanks. I'll be right there."

He hadn't even waited for her reply but dashed off as soon as his message was delivered knowing she knew what to do.

Malloriel picked up her newly strung bow, gathered up her quiver, and headed out to the coral to collect her horse. That done she rode over to where the rest of the group was gathering. Several others were there already and smiled and waved at her. She grinned back and took her place among them. Once all had gathered they set off south and a little west.

~~~~

Malloriel sat easily on her beloved Stardust, well pleased with herself. This had been a good day's work, they'd accomplished what they'd set out to do, encountered nothing they couldn't handle and were now on their way back to camp.

Suddenly she sensed something approaching their group and sitting straighter, craned her head around to try and see if whatever it was could be seen. Sure enough there was something coming their way and she signaled to the scout leader.

Dropping back, "What it is Lori?"

Pointing off to her left, "There's something out there. I'm not sure if it's just tailing us or trying to catch up but it's definately out there."

He looked in the direction she'd pointed and could just barely make out a moving point of white against the plains. A rapidly approaching point of white at that.

"Whatever that is it's coming up fast. Do you sense anything?"

Concentrating and extending her senses as the Shaman had taught her she shook her head, "Nothing that means danger Trellan." Frowning slightly, "There's something there but it keeps sliding past me."

Trellan frowned, he wasn't sure whether he liked that or not. Signalling the group to stop they gathered around him and Malloriel. "Lori has spotted something behind us. It seems to be trying to catch up and she doesn't sense any danger." Glancing around, "However, I don't like this. We'll wait here for whatever or whoever it is to catch up and deal with it appropriately once we have more information."

The rest of the group nodded agreement and they formed up to wait. They didn't have to wait long before they could make out the appoaching object clearly. And what a shock they got when they did. For what they saw was a pure white horse riding towards them at incredible speed. A white horse in full tack but without a rider. They all knew about Valdemar and the Heralds and realized that this must be one of their Companions. But what was it doing out on the Plains with no Herald?

Malloriel watched the approaching Companion closely wondering what was going on. Once it got near them it slowed down to a nice trot and they got a better look at it's tack. This was not ordinary gear but clearly full formal harness.

There was only one reason why a Companion would be out of Haven, on it's own, and rigged up like that and it was that said Companion was looking for it's Chosen.

A few minutes later and the Companion had caught up to them. It was a stallion and headed straight for Malloriel. He stopped just short of her and looked straight into her eyes. ::I'm Varrin and I Chose you Malloriel of the Shin-a-in.::

She sat there stunned for a moment and then turned wide eyes at Trellan. "He says his name is Varrin and uhm...he's Chosen me."

The rest of the scouts had been watching with a mixture of surprise and amusement. Laughing and clapping her on the back, "Well, looks like you'll not be coming back with us. Congradulations on your Choosing."

Varrin stamped impatiently and tossed his head, ::Quit dawdling Chosen and lets go. It's a long way back to Haven.::

"I've got to go. I mean I've got to go now."

Grinning, "Of course you do. That's the way they do these things from what I've heard. Spares them and their Chosen from having to deal with hysterical parents." With a shooing motion, "Off with you now. We'll take Stardust back to camp and tell your family what's happened."

Nodding, still a bit on the stunned side, Malloriel dismounted and giving Stardust one last caress mounted Varrin. He pranced in place for a bit and then shot off across the Plains.

Shouting after the departing pair, "We'll send you're belongings to you in Haven Lori."

She waved to let them know she'd heard them and then they were out of sight. Malloriel squirmed slightly in the unfamilar saddle as they flew across the grass.

::You'll get used to it in no time Chosen.::

::I hope so. Otherwise I'm going to have cramps the whole trip.::

They rode silently for a while. ::How long will it take to get to Haven?::

::Oh, a week. Maybe two.::

::Wow, that's fast. I'd expected it to take longer than that.::

Smugly, ::And it would if you were riding an ordinary horse. We Companions are much faster.::

::Oh well, excuuuse me oh superior being.::

Snorting in amusement, ::You're excused::

Malloriel rolled her eyes in disgust and ignored that last comment.

She couldn't help thinking about what it was going to be like and was just a tad nervous. She wondered whether or not she'd be accepted there.

Kindly,::Don't worry Chosen. You're mine and they'll just have to deal with it. Oh there'll be some that will have a self-righteous fit but those that count will accept you for you.::

She smiled and stroked his neck. ::Guess they will at that. Oh well, no use worring about it till we get there.::

Varrin tossed his head in agreement and if possible seemed to pick up speed. At this pace it wouldn't take them all that long to get there so she shoved her doubts into the back of her mind and just enjoyed the trip.