Fighter's Guild
IS OFFLINE
20
Renown
Crescent Isles
"I only bite if you want me to, dear"
793 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Sept 18, 2023 13:24:48 GMT -5
From atop the humble donkey upon which she sat, Sylvari gave a little huff of annoyance. Gods, how did it come to this? She had entered King's Valley with her usual prerogative: assist the common folk in whatever they needed help with. Unfortunately for her, the mirthful townsfolk of the region had been as cagey as they were insistent that her services were needed. Unable to turn down a person in need, Sylvari had accepted the request without details. Why am I so naïve? Sylvari had found herself entered into a race. When she protested that she didn't even have a mount, the commoners were all too eager to offer her one: the donkey upon which she sat. Setting aside the fact that I've never raced horseback (donkeyback?) before, I feel so exposed without my armor. At least they gave up insisting I lose the veil too.Sylvari's signature half veil, which covered the top portion of her face, waved gently in the wind, but no so much as to reveal what it hid. The armor in question, bulky and lying in a heap near the spectators, had been argued to be detrimental to the racing efforts and was summarily discarded by a sort of racing advisor that had been assigned to Sylvari. She absentmindedly wondered if any of the other racers were given such a handicap. Sylvari looked at the other riders lined up next to her. They were of various quality racers and mounts from a cursory glance, including one wealthy-looking gentleman with an honest-to-gods winged drake mount. [Powerful Presence] Sylvari had taken the precaution of 'suggesting' that he give the other racers a headstart, in the interest of fairness. The blank stare he still held showed proof of his compliance, eliciting a sigh from Sylvari. They did say it was 'anything goes.' I'm not a fan of underhanded tactics, but, come on, a dragon?Sylvari shook her head to clear away the idle thoughts. She was thoroughly convinced she wouldn't win, but damned if she wouldn't make the best showing she was able. Quest Name: Wacky Races 2
Participants: Two or more
Location: King's Valley
Post Requirements: 5 post per person, 200 words per post
Reward: +1 Renown
Description: One of the valley's favorite past times is racing, specifically on horse back, but any animal will do as long as it is exciting. If you want to make a name for yourself in the plains, winning a race is the best way to do that, but it is one of the hardest things to do, locals do not play fair. The quest is simple, get into a race with either a mount or a land vehicle. You don't have to win, but try your hardest, and keep an eye out, anything goes in these races. (If you do not own a mount, a donkey will be provided for you.)
|
|
Tradesfolk
IS OFFLINE
6
Renown
Zeinav Desert
I am the righteous hand of god, and I am the devil that you forgot
132 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Flint Caldwell on Sept 20, 2023 11:33:59 GMT -5
Flint side-eyed the other contestants as he sat proudly atop his mighty steed, well it was a donkey by the name of Butters, but the cowboy knew he would be his chariot to victory. It had been years since he had ridden anything, yet when he heard that there was a solar prize, his worrying light coin purse begged him to join. He wasn't entirely sure how he had wandered this far from the desert, but it didn't matter as he took a deep breath filling his lungs with crisp air, and it felt nice not to be melting in the mid-day sun.
Since he never carried any weapons or armor, he was allowed to keep most of his possessions on him, yet he had to begrudgingly depart with an expensive bottle of whisky that he had bought while in Darkviel. It pained him to see it just lying there on the grace next to a rather bulky set of black armor; nobody better take that while I ain't lookin' he thought as he scanned the spectators. Looking for anybody would even dare go close to it. However, he wasn't entirely deprived of his vices as he pulled out his beat-up pack of cigarettes, flicking one out, he patted his pockets, looking for his lighter. However, to his dismay, he couldn't find his metal lighter, huffed a heavy groan as he realized he must've dropped it somewhere or it got stolen, so he placed it between his lips, letting it idly hang there.
He hated asking for help with anything but desperate times called for desperate measures, so he nudged the contestant to his left, a half-elven man atop a tan horse. "Hey, you got a light?" he whispered. "What? No, I don't. Now shut up, I'm trying to focus," the half-elf hissed back at him. Flint had to fight every cell in his body to not sock this guy right in the jaw. "Fine, I'll ask someone else, you prick," he retorted as he turned to the right eyeing a lady with a half-veil and white hair. He nudged her, "Hey you got a light?" She at least looked more friendly than the other man, so maybe he might have a less rude interaction with this person.
Before she could respond, an announcer took the stage on a platform off to the side, "Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the third annual King's Valley Mount Derby! I'm sure you all are about as excited as I am, so let's get this show on the road, shall we?! Alright, contestants on your mark .... get set .... Go!!!" Flint gripped Butter's reigns as they took off, though a moment of confusion washed over him as a man atop a drake just didn't move for the first couple of seconds. Yet it didn't entirely matter to him as it meant an easier time for him to win.
|
|
Fighter's Guild
IS OFFLINE
20
Renown
Crescent Isles
"I only bite if you want me to, dear"
793 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Sept 20, 2023 12:01:14 GMT -5
Sylvari was so stunned by the man's request, confused to what he needed a light source for in broad daylight, that she didn't move when the race began. Luckily for her racing career, her steed moved automatically, sprinting to try and keep pace with the frontrunners. Uncharacteristic for a donkey. I suppose they must breed and train the creatures for such around here.
Besides the man who interacted with her previously, the only other entrant on a donkey, a man completely concealed under a cloak and hood, was rapidly riding up parallel to Sylvari. It seemed that not every applicant had been searched for weapons as thoroughly as Sylvari, as from within the man's cloak a metal sap was produced. He swung at her with the weapon. Sylvari acted on instinct, narrowly dodging the swing and, after punching the man in the face, used the momentum to aid her in pulling the man's arm further than he intended, sending him toppling off his steed.
"Sorry!" Syvlari was certain some type of foul would be called and that the race would be restarted or they would be disqualified. To her amazement, however, the announcer was unexpectedly enthused by this set of events. "And there it is folks! Our first unhorsing of the event! Shame that contestant was unable to bring his own steed; there goes a perfectly good opportunity for a pun about the dangers of 'horsing around'!"
This is insane. What kind of event am I enrolled in? Sylvari decided to ride up to the man who spoke with her before, hoping that he would be more friendly than her last fellow racer. Her donkey mount was all too happy to have a rider that was focused on increasing speed now, and quickly closed the gap. "Um, hello! Sorry about not having a light source for you. Have you done this before, are the races always like this?"
|
|
Tradesfolk
IS OFFLINE
6
Renown
Zeinav Desert
I am the righteous hand of god, and I am the devil that you forgot
132 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Flint Caldwell on Sept 21, 2023 15:35:55 GMT -5
Flint let out a hearty laugh as it had been a while since he felt the wind against his face, it was no where close to as exhilarating as dropping from the back of a drake; but he could feel his competitive heart burning nonetheless. Even with his minimal riding experience the cowboy seemed to be holding his own as he kept his place near the front, only a couple of racers were ahead of him. He whipped the reigns of his mighty steed with a "HI-YAH!" to increase the speed of the butters to attempt to over take the contestants on front of him.
Though his head whipped back as he heard a commotion behind him as he watched the white haired girl just sock another contestant right in the jaw. Seeing that made him light up as it gave him an idea, his eyes scanned the the other racers looking specifically for a half-elven man atop a tan horse. A cocky grin stretched across his face as he spotted his target and he maneuvered Butters ever closer to him. Once within arms length of the man Flint wrapped the reigns around the pommel at the front of the saddle, and using his legs as an anchor he twisted his hips and drove his fist right into the man's side. Flint clearly knocked the wind out of him as he sent the man flying off of his horse and a second later another impact sent the man into the dusty ground below them. "Eat shit you bastard!" Flint shouted towards him. "Ohh and there is unhorsing number two! We're barely even into this competition and I can already tell this will be a race full of chaos. Just the way I like it" shouted the announcer from their stage.
Flint quickly wrapped the reigns around his hand again to regain control of Butters as another contestant rode up beside him. Eager to send another person off he whipped his head towards whoever it was only to see the white haired girl from earlier "well howdy stranger, and don't sweat it not everyone carries a lighter on them at all times. And yes I have ridden horses and such before and no not all races are this free-form with it's rules." He as looked over to her he didn't notice the branch headed towards him until it smacked him upside the head, Flint was no stranger to getting his bell rung so this didn't have much of an affect on him besides scratching up his face a little. He let out another hearty laugh "Well I should said you pack yourself quite a punch, but next time turn your hips along with it so you can get more force behind it ... Ah where are my manners the name's Flint Caldwell" he said followed by a hat tip towards her.
|
|
Fighter's Guild
IS OFFLINE
20
Renown
Crescent Isles
"I only bite if you want me to, dear"
793 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Sept 21, 2023 18:09:21 GMT -5
"I wasn't trying to hit the man; I reacted on instinct when he swung at me! This is crazy!" Sylvari was so flustered by the situation that when the man introduced himself, she merely stared blankly and responded on impulse. "Sylvari Dawnsage, a pleasure."
Sylvari shook her head physically as if that would jostle her out of her mental stupor. "Look, I want to survive this thing. This was not what I intended to do today. Let's have a pact you and I, a temporary alliance until this is over. I'll look after your right side, and you look after my left. Deal?" Sylvari extended a hand to Flint, feeling painfully vulnerable without her gauntlets.
It was fortunate indeed that the donkey's willingness to gallop at top speed and Sylvari's own mastery over her own balance met at such a convenient intersection, for, though Sylvari had next to no experience in the saddle, she was able to keep pace with the pack. Well, it might be more accurate to say that the donkey is keeping pace. Gods forbid I have to direct this creature anywhere but where it wants to go.
The racers were coming up to the first bend of the makeshift route, and, with the riders packing close together, chaos was sure to ensue.
|
|
Tradesfolk
IS OFFLINE
6
Renown
Zeinav Desert
I am the righteous hand of god, and I am the devil that you forgot
132 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Flint Caldwell on Sept 24, 2023 21:16:35 GMT -5
"I know it's crazy, isn't it amazing!?" Flint excitedly retorted as he held his arms out at the chaos happening around them. "The pleasure is all mine, and I could show you how to throw an even better punch once this is all over." He joked as he caught an incoming rock throw by another contestant and with a quick whip of his arm sent it whistling into the back of yet that person's head, almost knocking them off of their horse from the force.
He brought his attention back to Sylvari as she held our her hand and in a split second engulfed it within his rough hand. then with a firm shake cemented their temporary truce, "You got yourself a deal Miss Sylvari, but why just survive when we can thrive and have a little bit of fun. Did you not feel a little bit of a rush when you knocked that bastard off of his donkey? The rules are thrown out the window for this race so cut loose and go wild, well even if the rules were in place I was plannin' on doin' that anyways" He joked as he let out yet another guttural laugh.
The contestants all bunching together brought his attention back to the race itself as he finally noticed the first bend in the race: a tight right turn with a drop on the other side. The drop wasn't enough to be deadly to any of the riders or their animals but it was enough to knock someone out of the race, seeing that light bulb flicked on in the cowboys head. Seems that light bulb flickered on for another contestant as a man atop a giant lizard mount grabbed the tattered cloak that sat on Flint's shoulders and started to pull him towards the edge. If he hadn't hooked his feet around the stirrups of his saddle he would've been tossed off the edge by the man, yet he was still almost paralleled with the ground as he was getting yanked. "Let go of me you shithead" He shouted up to the contestant yet the man remained weirdly quiet as he continued to pull at his cloak
Then another good pull from atop the lizard man pulled one of his legs free from the loop of the stirrup "Shit, I may need a little help Miss Sylvari" He joked as he now dangled with one foot connected to Butters. Yet before he dangled too low a smirk appeared on his face as with some surprising flexibility he brought his free leg up and sank his boot right into the other contestant's side. The strength of the kick sent the man off the small drop and let out of Flint's cloak, "Nevermind I got him." He joked again until he dropped to the ground below and was now getting dragged along as Butters continued to barrel along. He looked back to Sylavri one more time "Nevermind that, I may have a new problem to deal with" he joked with a small hint of desperation up towards her
|
|
Fighter's Guild
IS OFFLINE
20
Renown
Crescent Isles
"I only bite if you want me to, dear"
793 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Sept 24, 2023 21:34:44 GMT -5
"That was most certainly not on my mind when I hit the poor man!" Sylvari protested. "Granted he forfeited his right to safety by swinging first, but I've no intention of using less-than-savory means of winn-"
Sylvari's statement was cut short as Flint began to be yanked by the cloak, caught firm in another racer's hand. Faster than Sylvari could react, Flint leveled an impressive roundhouse kick that landed the opponent squarely in the gulley he had been pulling her companion towards. An impressive spectacle, if not for the fact that Flint was now being dragged rather unceremoniously across the uneven ground, his donkey seeming to be as hells-bent on sprinting as Sylvari's own.
It was now Sylvari's turn for an impressive feat of athleticism. Knowing that she had little chance of redirecting her steed, Sylvari jumped up, carefully balancing across the donkey's back and then extending one leg to stand on the other, each leg resting on a different mount. From there, she leaned over as far as she was able while maintain her footing and, with a mighty heave, righted Flint in the saddle. She then resumed her own sitting position, just in time to duck a blow from another competitor, whose overeager strike proved too much for his tenuous balance and sent him tumbling off his steed.
This was all much to the crowd and announcer's delight, as Sylvari could hear their hoots and hollers from here. "Such dashing gallantry! The bonds of racing truly bring a tear to the eye. One might ask whether teaming up in a free-for-all race is against the spirit of the thing but displays of prowess like that are only possible with a little rule-bending. I think we have a couple of fan favorites forming!"
Sylvari merely shook her head and groaned inwardly.
|
|
Tradesfolk
IS OFFLINE
6
Renown
Zeinav Desert
I am the righteous hand of god, and I am the devil that you forgot
132 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Flint Caldwell on Sept 30, 2023 15:52:00 GMT -5
Once Flint was finally back in the saddle, he let out an excited laugh, the thrill of the race surging through his veins. He looked back at Sylvari with genuine gratitude in his eyes. "Thank you kindly, I definitely owe you one after that mighty impressive feat," he commended her, appreciating the remarkable acrobatics she displayed. The cowboy's spirit was unshaken, the tumble having only fueled the fire burning within him. His grin widened as he whipped his head forward, focusing on the path ahead, ready for the challenges that lay in wait.
The cheers of the crowd resonated in his ears, and Flint couldn't help but feel his heart quicken with adrenaline. He raised his fist in the air, a gesture of determination, and the crowd responded with a deafening roar of approval. Their energy was infectious, and Flint was determined to ride this wave of enthusiasm all the way to the finish line.
Looking back at Sylvari again, he shared his excitement. "Ya hearin' that? They're absolutely lovin' us! We gotta win now, we got their hopes soarin'," he shouted over the sounds of the race,. "So, let's put on a good show!" With a charismatic flourish, he raised both arms, rallying the crowd even more. However, this unintentional showboating drew the attention of the other contestants. Heads turned, and eyes locked on the dynamic duo amidst the chaotic race. The pressure was on, but Flint was determined to make every moment count.
The display of showmanship unwittingly turned Flint into a target. Seizing the moment, a rival rider charged with the intent to knock him off balance. They approached on the cowboys good side giving Flint a split-second advantage as he spotted them. He expertly maneuvered, hugging Butter's neck as the rival's horse thundered past, missing its mark. Undeterred, another competitor saw an opportunity for a flanking maneuver. With determined intensity, he urged his mount forward. But Flint, ever-vigilant, spun in the saddle with a swift, well-timed sidekick. The impact connected with the assailant's chest, sending him sprawling off his horse, "Alright who's next!!" his shout echoes through. the race.
|
|
Fighter's Guild
IS OFFLINE
20
Renown
Crescent Isles
"I only bite if you want me to, dear"
793 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Sept 30, 2023 18:22:33 GMT -5
Sylvari could only sigh, as another intrepid opponent let fly a left hook, aimed at her temple. She dodged inward, narrowly avoiding the blow and grabbed on to the hurtling arm, using its momentum as well as her own to launch a devastating headbutt into the man who dared attack her. Such was the force and placement of Sylvari's masterful blow that the man fell unconscious almost immediately, slumping in the saddle. Afraid that he would fall inward and be trampled by the racers, Sylvari extended a hand to push him outward to fall on the grassy knoll beside the track.
This is getting out of hand. People are likely to end up seriously hurt at this rate. Seeing a group of three riders adjusting speed to approach her and Flint's flank, Sylvari held out her hand before her, palm upward, as she coaxed the fragile ice magic she had begun to nurture into her hand. Smiling, seeing the soft light blue glow, Sylvari extended her hand backwards, toward the interlopers, turning the packed dirt their mounts galloped on into precarious ice [Ice Bridge]. Immediately, the mounts began to lose their footing, slipping and sliding off the track and landing in a heap together off the trail. Three more down, but there are still enough foes left to cause problems.
|
|
Tradesfolk
IS OFFLINE
6
Renown
Zeinav Desert
I am the righteous hand of god, and I am the devil that you forgot
132 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Flint Caldwell on Oct 3, 2023 15:15:06 GMT -5
Flint, his heart racing from the adrenaline-fueled race, marveled at Sylvari's combat prowess. Her agility and clever moves were nothing short of impressive. He couldn't help but grin at how intense and wild the race was becoming."Godsdamn, this is gettin' crazier by the minute! I love it," Flint exclaimed to Sylvari over the rushing wind, a mix of awe and concern in his voice. He knew they had to tread carefully amidst this chaos.
A new challenge loomed ahead — a stretch of trees that threatened to block their path. Flint narrowed his eyes, gauging the distance and the speed at which they were hurtling toward the obstacle. Sensing his hesitation, Butters whinnied in anticipation, urging him to decide. "Miss Sylvari, we’ll just go through those trees, Butters. Easy does it," Flint reassured his Donkey, patting his neck firmly.
The forest stretched before them, a dense maze of branches and foliage that promised to test their skills. Flint's eyes flicked from the narrow gaps between trees to the path ahead. He leaned forward slightly, adjusting his posture to maintain balance. The thrum of hooves behind him grew louder — the rich man atop the drake was closing in. With a swift flick of the reins and a gentle nudge of his heels, Flint guided Butters into the thicket. The trees rushed past in a blur, the cool shadows of the forest enveloping them. It was risky, threading through the maze of trees at breakneck speed, but they had to take the chance. Every second counted in this.
As they darted through the trees, Flint's senses heightened. He could feel the adrenaline pumping through him, the wind whipping past his face, and the rhythmic beat of Butter’s strides. The thicket posed a challenge, but they were determined to conquer it. The rich man on the drake was gaining, the pressure mounting as they navigated the trees
|
|
Fighter's Guild
IS OFFLINE
20
Renown
Crescent Isles
"I only bite if you want me to, dear"
793 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Oct 4, 2023 9:52:46 GMT -5
Sylvari did not share in her co-conspirator's enthusiasm for the thrill; her mind was otherwise occupied with a pervasive worry for the other racers' wellbeing. She felt sympathy for them all, even those given to unwarranted violence, and she was acutely aware for the need of first aid following the race. She was much too preoccupied with these thoughts to focus on the race.
Her noble steed, however, would not be restrained by such mundane things as its master's absentmindedness. It moved in concert with Flint's own donkey, closing on the thick forest with impressive speed, not balking at the prospect of the tight corridors even a bit.
Sylvari was forced to come to present awareness as the tree boughs began to claw at her as they whipped passed. She dodged and ducked the various obstacles as the donkey drove forward with a singlemindedness that bordered on fanatical. Since she didn't have to focus on guiding the steed, Sylvari's focus was able to reach back to where the man on the drake she had previously stupefied had apparently shaken off the effects and was rapidly gaining ground. Given the massive bulk of his mount, the man was not able to enter the wood as they did, but, determined to regain lost ground, he directed the drake to plow throw the very edges of the forest, bowling over the younger saplings on the wood's outskirts.
"Uh, Flint? Do we have a plan for that one?"
|
|
Tradesfolk
IS OFFLINE
6
Renown
Zeinav Desert
I am the righteous hand of god, and I am the devil that you forgot
132 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Flint Caldwell on Oct 8, 2023 16:53:59 GMT -5
Flint was more focused on guiding butters through the mess of roots that rushed beneath them; he pulled the reins back and forward to keep butters from slamming into any of the surrounding trees. His focus was soon drawn away as the sound of snapping wood echoed from the edges of the tree line. The drake-rider seemed to be catching up to the duo, though he couldn't enter the forest because of the big boy he was atop.
He looked back to Sylvari as she questioned the plan. He rubbed the stubble on his jaw as he tried to think of something. "Uh, I'm kinda workin' on it ... I got an idea, but I don't think you'd call it a plan." Flint's eyes returned to the drake-rider as he looked over, allowing eye contact with each other. The rich man pointed to his eyes and then pointed to the cowboy, signaling that he was keeping his eyes on the two of them. Flint's response was a little simpler but topped it with vulgarness as he flipped the man off, holding it there to ensure he saw the taunt. The rich man's gasp could be heard from the outskirts as he turned as red as a tomato, applauded by the gesture that made the cowboy laugh the hardest he had in a while. He looked back to his white-haired companion with a shit-eating grin. "Alright, I got his attention, and when I saw 'now,' you are gonna jump," it was obvious that Flint was thinking something stupid.
He returned his focus forward as he could see the light at the end of the forest. Flint flicked the reins, and butters rocketed forward as they both ignored the clawing of the branches. With a triumphant laugh from the cowboy, the duo crossed the threshold of the tree line and returned to the main path; the sound of furious stomping soon followed as the drake barreled toward them. Flint knew what he wanted to do, but how he would do it still seemed to elude him as he steeled himself.
"HOW DARE YOU, YOU INSOLENT LITTLE BUG!" Scream the furious rider as he rapidly approached. Flint soon stood up on the saddle of Butters, patting his neck. "I'll see you at the finish line, farewell partner." He looked into the donkey's eyes as they seemed to acknowledge the parting of the two. Flint took a deep breath and waited for the drake to get close enough, and once they were, the cowboy leaped from the donkey. 1Gripping onto the drake's scales, Flint hoisted himself up it as the wealthy man sent some relatively weak kicks to Flint's head. Making his way to its back, Flint cracked his knuckles. "This is mine now, got that?" He threatened as he booted the man to the ground before plopping himself down on the saddle. He reached 1down towards Sylavri "Now! I'll catch you!"
1.)Iron Grip
|
|
Fighter's Guild
IS OFFLINE
20
Renown
Crescent Isles
"I only bite if you want me to, dear"
793 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Oct 8, 2023 17:54:40 GMT -5
Hells, are we really doing this? Sylvari was incredulous about the solidity of whatever plan Flint had concocted, but he had trusted her, and such faith demanded payment in kind. She was also forced to admit Flint's impressive athleticism, jumping from his donkey and grabbing onto the charging drake, scaling the beast as some might a rock wall.
With a surging quickness, and no small amount of animus, Sylvari imagined, judging by the rude exchange between the pair earlier, Flint summarily plucked the fine-robed man from his perch atop the masterwork saddle and tossed him off. He then turned back to her and asked her to jump. He obviously has impressive grip strength to climb a moving being like that, but pulling oneself up is a far cry from hoisting up another, especially factoring in the gravity of the jump.
Sylvari's hesitation was quickly ended as the decision was made for her: the sprinting beast beneath her was spent and as its hoof pressed down into a sudden hole on the track, Sylvari knew she had to jump or risk killing the creature with her additional weight.
And so, jump she did, leaping to stand on her saddle lightning quick before jumping hard, raising her feet high into the air. Her arms flailed out to the side, meeting nothing but air for a few terrifying seconds before a strong, calloused hand grip her tightly, nearly wrenching the appendage out of its socket as her momentum was abruptly changed.
Sylvari had daydreamed, as many young girls do, of a strong knight that would save her from danger at the last possible moment, an epic romantic moment where the two would be brought close, each a little nervous by the situation. The tension would be electric, heightened further by the adrenaline of peril coursing through them both. This catch was nothing like that. With a mighty heave, Flint pulled her atop the saddle onto her stomach, like a sack of supplies. She blushed at her previous fantasy before quickly righting herself to sit behind him in the saddle, noting with relief the end marker for the race ahead.
|
|
Tradesfolk
IS OFFLINE
6
Renown
Zeinav Desert
I am the righteous hand of god, and I am the devil that you forgot
132 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Flint Caldwell on Oct 12, 2023 15:49:09 GMT -5
"I got you!" Flint reassured as he tightly gripped Sylavri's hand, then pulled her atop the drake. Once she was secured, he turned his attention back to the front as he wrapped the reins around his hand. "That was excellent form on the jump back there if I say so myself. However, you did look a little funny with your arms flailin' all wild like that. Also, what in the hell are you blushin' about?" He joked as he looked over his shoulder before snapping his head to the reins in his hands. He let them dangle loosely looped around his hand for a second, his eyes narrowing in slight confusion as he knew how to maneuver a horse and donkey pretty well, but this scaled behemoth seemed to puzzle him. Despite the mess, he nodded as he tightened the reins around his hands and pulled them in the direction the path was headed, and he spotted the finish line a little ways away as the drake turned.
The drake stayed in the right direction for a moment before quickly veering off to the left towards an embankment of trees. Attempting to get the mount under control, Flint quickly yanked the reins to the right, which did prevent them from crashing into the trees but also seemed to veer them too much to the right. "Godsdammit, how in the hell does Miss Kamille do this." He complained as he attempted to regain control of thundering drake. The constant overcorrecting caused them to progress with a wide serpentine pattern, allowing some of the contestants still in the forest time to catch up to the two.
Flint smirked as he finally seemed to grasp what he was doing; he gripped the reins tighter and pulled them to get them back in the middle of the path, "There we go, now let's win this thing! HI-YAH!" he cheered with a whip of the reins. With other racers hot on their tail, the drake accelerated to full speed and thundered away from their pursuers.
The only contestant that seemed to stand between them and their victory was a blonde human man atop a pristine white horse, and to Flint's delight, they were gaining on him. Flint couldn't help but grin as another stupid idea popped into his head, and he looked back to Sylvari. "right, so I got an idea that'll set our victory in stone; I just need you to take the reins for a moment and make sure that we stay on course, you got that?" Then, before she could even respond, he handed the bundle of leather to her. "Here, I believe in you," He joked as he started to climb down the side of the drake, 1clinging tightly to one of its protruding scales. Like a sailor hanging off the rigging of a boat, Flint held on as they approached the human. Once they were close enough, Flint cleared his throat to get his attention. "Sorry, partner, but we're gonna be takin' gold on this one." Before quickly socking the man in his jaw, the force sent him spiraling off the horse. Flint could only laugh as they neared the finish line.
1.) Iron Grip
|
|
Fighter's Guild
IS OFFLINE
20
Renown
Crescent Isles
"I only bite if you want me to, dear"
793 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Oct 12, 2023 16:25:12 GMT -5
Caught in her embarrassment, Sylvari could only blush further. "I'm sure I don't know what you mean. It's this blasted sun, beating down on us. It's not doing wonders for my skin." Hearing the sound of her own voice, Sylvari wouldn't have believed the lie she told.
As she righted herself in the saddle, two things became rapidly apparent: guiding a drake was markedly different than steering an equine mount, and Flint had no experience in this department. Luckily, for the wellbeing of them both, Flint was a quick study and quickly directed their orientation towards the finish. It was also the direction of their only remaining rival: a bona fide noble on a white stallion, just the sort who should win this race, if the stories were to be believed. Though, in all fairness, none of the stories ever included hasty team of circumstance, bludgeoning and stealing their way to the front.
Sylvari was somewhat distracted, and didn't hear Flint's plan as reins were suddenly shoved into her hands. What is he thinking? I could barely steer the donkey! Her mental protestations made her freeze up: probably the best thing for the situation, given the drake's apparent fine tuning in terms of turning. Flint, meanwhile, had taken the opportunity of being freed from steering to climb down the charging reptile and throw a nasty hook that sent the noble tumbling off his steed most unceremoniously.
And just like that, it was over, the pair of them crossing the finish line to roaring cheers: a frozen Sylvari and a smirking Flint waving to adoring fans while half-hanging on the drake. Sylvari only managed to return to her senses at the announcer's voice.
"Astonishing! Just astonishing! We've seen tricks, we've seen teams, we've even seen borderline criminality, but never before have ween seen such raw talent on display as what we have had for you here today!" The announcer's enthusiasm was infectious and the crowd was only growing louder in their exuberation, until the announcer held up a hand to pause their celebrating. "Now, technically the rules state there can only be one winner, on the mount they registered with..."
The announcer's statement was cut off by a cavalcade of booing, but a side glance from Sylvari revealed the knowing smile of a man who had played the crowd right into his hands. "But given the overwhelming support we have for these two fine athletes, it's only right they both be crowned champions! King's Valley's very first dual winners!"
The crowd that was merely cacophonous before became all but deafening, much to Sylvari's continued embarrassment. As the announcer went into details of the award ceremony, Sylvari noted a grouping of the other racers, all beaten to various degrees, limping over the finish line. She immediately hopped of the drake, ran to collect her medical supplies in her bag, and began tending to them.
|
|