Spring Festival/506-05-02 Horse Race: Part II
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Serath and his warhorse gallop full tilt toward the river crossing, lining up for what is hopefully to be a clean crossing. When the large steed goes to make the jump however it stumbles as it makes it's final few feet toward the ravine something goes terribly amiss. The damp area around the ravine causes the warhorse to loose it's footing as it's about to leap and the horse goes flailing into the water. A humongous splash can be seen with their entrance and with that the man is thrown off and sent flying, also making his fabulous debut into the water and with that the side of the ravine, one can hear a suprised, "GAH!" as Serath is sent flying through the air.
Vivane watches as the warhorse looses it's footing. She winces wondering if the horse will have to be put down.
Third Obstacle: Chicken Coops - Chicken coops stacked together, forming a fence of slatted wood and clucking, feathery wonder approximately 4 feet tall. The riot of feathers and cackling erupts whenever a rider approaches, making this jump a challenge to the concentration of both horse and rider.
Being in the back gives Denali a bit of an edge when they come up to the chicken coops. /Other/ people get feathers in their face and the way is left mostly clear for her and her mount. Even so, she doesn't quite catch up as much as she'd like. She's not out of the race, mind, but unless something fairly fantastic occurs... she's still going to come in towards the end.
It's said slow-and-steady wins the race. Dorian started out slow, but has been progressing at a steady pace as he follows the crowd. When the chickens come out clucking, he benefits from the fact that his horse has been trained not to startle... Mother just /has/ to keep her boy safe! While many of the other horses apparently have difficulty with the fowl, he trudges onward, catching up with a group of two others, and only two horses ahead of him!
Briony is at the head of the pack, which means her horse gets first look at this horrible obstacle filled with live animals! The horse cries out and pulls his head up, looking like he might refuse. His ears twisting back, he tosses his head before making a half attempt, catching the topmost coop and knocking it off the top, freeing the chickens. Briony looks over her shoulder as the horse picks up his stride after, wincing.
Cael was doing well - he was, right up there near the front. But when the warhorse skids it's way around the bend and heads towards the chicken coops it all begins to fall apart. The horse begins to nimbling blast it's way through but one hoof comes down atop a coop - causing the warhorse to stumble. No real damage there - Cael is able to keep it from falling and breaking it's leg - but the side effect is that the muscled Guardian goes butt over tea-kettle over the front of the warhorse - hitting the top of the coop with a resounding thud and crash - and curses worthy of any Legion man. He scrambles to get back onto his tall mount - which waits patiently, albeit perhaps with a bit of scorn - growling to himself.
Phineas gives a hiss of worry as Serath is sent flying, pushing up to his feet to get a better view. "Hope he landed well. Good thing 'bout the water." Then he hauls a deep breath and bellows, "HAUL SOME ASS, BRIONY!" he glances about at those nearby spectating with him, offering the comfort to Vivane, "He should be fine. Water and all that."
As the bay mare and the red-headed Fielder approach the chicken coops, only a few paces off the lead and a less few paces in front of anyone else, there's a moment where it seems that Sunflower might balk at the feathers scattering in the air and the raucous sounds of the poor birds. Arthur simply stands up a little in the saddle again, nudging his horse with his heels and shouting encouragement in her flat, backslicked ears. She manages to find her courage in the end and they sail right over the coops without clipping any hooves.
Buttercup very nearly comes to a screeching halt at the chicken coops. She takes a wild turn away from the obstacle, her ears pointed ahead, the whites of her eyes visible. "They's only cluckers lassie!" Angus can be heard shouting above the dim of chickens and hooves. Yanking on the reigns, he gives the mare a hard turn back around towards the cages. "Close your eyes!" Setting her up towards the jump again, Angus spurs her forward, kicking her side with his boots. Buttercup does not take her eyes off those chickens, even as she's sailing over the jump. She puts as much distance between herself and those cages as she can.
Oksana gives Phineas an odd sort of glance as he bellows, then looks down and jots another note. 'Duke of Green Fields has unusually large lung and voice capacity'.
It's with a grunt and a growl that Carter now soaked tries to spur Ember back into the breakneck pace to and through the Chicken coops, the first time in .... months that that many breasts have come flying at him and the first time in his life he's likely slapped them away are tried to duck his head from going face first into them. Coughing and spitting out a few feathers as he tries his best to keep his place in the race.
Vivane glances at Phineas and then realizes she's in the presence of a duke. She curtsies, "I apologize, your grace. It is a good race. I hate to see a horse injured. They are extremely valuable beasts."
Unlike Buttercup, Tinder considers those chickens a challenge. He falters briefly, but then sticks his head out straight, leaping up and over the cages. When he lands on the other side, he is quick to put as much distance between himself and the chickens as possible. The landing from the jerky jump is not as graceful as it could be, and Phoenix bounces uncomfortable in the saddle, tosses forward. Managing to keep his seat, he hangs on, searching out the next obstacle ahead of them with his eyes.
Fourth Obstacle: Ale Kegs - Empty Ale Kegs stacked on their sides, 2 kegs high. This fence stands about as tall as an average man's shoulder and about as wide, as well.
Serath remains in the water for what seems to be a good half minute. The old black warhorse who shall soon be named glue wastes no time however in drawing itself out of the water and it goes trotting off on it's own with an indignant snort. Serath slowly pulls himself out from the ravine, now more of a soaked rat now than a man. His gaze follows after the horse who stops a good 30 feet out and he quirks his head to the side, soaked hair half hanging in his face, "You did that on purpose didn't you?"
Phineas gives an easy going smirk toward Vivane. "Not so worried about the rider," he says with a chuckle. "Can't blame you, I know plenty of people that I'd save the horse before them. Ya have the advantage of me, who're you? That there's Oksana, and the other one is Ahnlana." He waves at the females he introduces to Vivane, splitting attention between her and the horse race taking place.
The ale kegs are an easy thing for the grey gelding. After the trauma of the chicken coops, the horse is grateful to see something he recognizes. Briony's face is spattered in mud and feathers, which she spits out ungracefully, leaning forward in the stirrups to give the group behind her a nice flash of her leather clad competitive Green Fields ass.
Oksana looks up at the sound of her name. "Yes?" No, she wasn't very much paying attention.
Cael seems to find his rhythm again. Carter is ahead of him and that seems to be his goal, leaning forward and urging his mount on with words and his hands on the reins. The fall seems to have rattled him some but he's picking up speed now and is able to jump over the ale kegs with ease - not as beautiful as it was earlier but he's not falling or looking unsteady.
The chicken coops have a lasting effect on Arthur and his charge; while they cleared the obstacle admirably, there are still feathers stuck all over both the boy and the horse by merit of having been just behind Briony when she clipped the coops. They manage the ale kegs only barely, with a hollow thump of back hooves stricking the jump and a resultant stumble on landing. Arthur manages to hold on, and Sunflower only veers a little to regain her footing before they're surging onwards again.
"Buckaw!" the cry of a distressed chicken is harsh in Carters ears, wedged against him and the saddle, "Of all the times to catch a bird.." Carter mutters, taking it by the legs and tossing it to the winds so it'll.. hopefully... take flight. Hunching back over the horse he dig his heels in and calls to Ember to pick up the pace, growing more serious - no really... as he focuses on the ale kegs, licking his lips with a growing thirst and leading ember into a good leap that narrowly misses clipping the kegs.
Conrad makes his way hurriedly to the contest, to only see that it's already in go. "Aww." Conrad says. "Wouldn't do no good fer me ta get killed, though." He rubs the back of his neck before he whistles loudly upon seeing Briony in the lead.
Angus and Buttercup nearly wipe out at the next obstacle. The little mare comes to a dramatic standstill, as if recognizing the kegs. "No lassie! You gotta jump them! You can't be stoppin' for a drink!" He tries to encourage her forward, but instead of going over the jump, she just circles infront of it a few times. "Over it! Over it lassie! We'll get a drink after!" He directs her back away from the jump before steering her back towards it. Eventually, he's able to coax her up and over, but just barely.
Dorian has no great skill in jumping ale kegs, but moves at a steady pace and carefully executes the obstacle. Easily done, and while certainly nothing special, the boy easily remains mounted to ride on...
Vivane bows her head as she curtsies again. "I'm Vivian Triloch, Lady Fen Marsh of Guardian Island, your grace. It truly is an honor." She turns her attention to the horse racing. "I am going to have to purchase a horse for here as I left mine back home."
The chicken Carter dislodges from his shoulder sails back towards Phoenix. Moving like water beneath the Forester, Tinder is suddenly three to the left of where he was a heartbeat ago. Clinging to the side of the horse, very nearly having fallen off, Phoenix attempts to reposition himself in the saddle. The gelding does not care about his rider, he's not stopping. In the excitement of the race, Tinder makes for the ale kegs prepared to jump them with the other horses. Nix manages to right himself just as the gelding sails over the kegs.
Phineas chuckles at the chickeninging of the riders, relaxing a bit when Serath gets to his feet. "Well met then, Lady Triloch. If you're looking to acquire a horse, ya probably want me ta introduce ya toward Briony there. That gal's the Baroness of Burgundy Terrace, best horses from there." He gestures toward Briony, smirking. "I'll haul ya over to her, after the race is over." His eyes narrow at the near spill of Nix. "Phoenix! YOU HOLD ON BETTER!" The commentary of the duke.
"That's my Baroness in the lead!" Conrad says as he approaches from behind Phineas.
"Ah, ya should show him how ta do it, Yer Grace." Conrad tells Phineas before he bows to the Lady of Fen Marsh.
Serath walks slowly over toward his horse who just seems to be watching Serath with a curious if not bemused look, Serath himself seems to be moving with a hint of a limp. The horse tosses it's head as he approaches, and Serath offers a wry chuckle, "Yeah... I love you too, boy." He reaches up to pat his nose with an obvious affection before he turns to lead him back to the starting area.
Fifth Obstacle: The Pigpen - Obstacle 1: A regular thatched fence leading into a pig pen area. It is made of woven bits of dried grasses made into a make-shift fence for the purpose of the Festival. Obstacle 2: A muddy area between the pig pen fences filled with slop and of course squealing pigs who dash and squirt in order to avoid horse and rider. Obstacle 3: A Thatched fence exactly like the former one, with soft grass on the other side.
Cael really found his stride. The Guardian warrior roared through the long stretch and managed to break out of the pack, actually breaking past everyone but Briony - by the second set of jumps he was closer to her than he'd been the entire race but the third set of jumps he's clearly pushed it too far. His horse loses it's stride and is clearly going over onto it's side. The warrior throws himself from the seat and hits the ground with a loud thud, rolling over to try to mitigate the impact. He comes up on a knee, checking his stallion to make sure he's okay before beginning to lead him from the race - and stroking the stallion's heaving flanks as they begin to limp and walk back through the race path to head to the starting area.
The poor light horse Arthur has been so graciously leant by Baroness Emerald Hollow is starting to lose steam. Sunflower soldiers on admirably for a creature who is presumably not often used for hard racing, her head down and her ears back as she struggles to stay in the contending. The whole time, now Arthur is half-standing in the saddle, leaned close over her neck, muttering encouragement to the little mare. This makes it a little harder for him to direct her to avoid the pigs, once they're over the first gate of the sty, but she seems to know what she's doing, turning expertly on her back legs when she has to. They manage the second fence in a spray of mud and in the same way they've done this whole race--without flash. That poor scarf the boy's been given to wear is now all splattered with water *and* muck.
One! Two! Three! Look at that shaggy little pony go! Buttercup is eating up that triple combination. Those pigies don't bother her one bit. She barely looks twice at them. On her back Angus whoops loudly with every jump. His white shock of hair flying in the breeze like a dandelion puff.
Dorian slows as he approaches the pig pens, making sure to carefully time each jump. One.... clop, clop. Two. Trot, trot. Three! He lets out a whoop of celebration as he successfully clears the last jump. He may have lost a little ground in the process, but at least he didn't fall like that guy right in front of him!
Phineas gives a hissing wince as Cael goes down, but when he sees Cael and horse are fine, he shouts, "THAT'LL TEACH YA TA RACE AGAINST FIELDERs, KILGANNON!" He glances at Conrad, and adds, "This is Conrad Rollins, Lord of Posey Pastures of my isle. Conrad, that's Vivane Triloch, of Fen Marsh on Guardian."
The benefit of being in the lead is not having to have pig mud in your face. The Baroness laughs with the sheer joy of the moment, taking the fence into the pigpen and then her horse thundering through the squishy muck only to bounce out the other side, as if he'd like nothing better than to get distance from the pig. She looks over her shoulder, grinning. "Yo, Fielder! Ride that thing, would ya!"
Serath tethers his warhorse to one of the posts. The man is still soaked from head to toe from the ravine, his boots and cloak slushing and sloshing with each step. He approaches Conrad, Phineas and Oksana gathered there, though his gaze remains fixated on the course. That is until he nears and he sits down next to them *slush*, offering softly with a hint of humor, "Lesson learned."
Inclining her head, Vivane acknowledges those she's been introduced. "It is a pleasure to meet you." A sound catches her attention and her eyes are back on the race.
The Green Fields duke chuckles to Serath. "Well ridden. You! We need some ale over here," he calls toward one of the wandering vendors. "Fields'll cover the cost for any of the racers ta drink."
In the middle of the pack, Tinder fights with Phoenix for his head. Chomping at the bit, he lunges through the pen, mud flying in all directions. Up and over the three hurdles, the pair come away unscathed.
"It's nice ta meet ya." Conrad says before looking towards the race. "OI, ALWAYS KNEW YOU COULD RIDE SOMETHING WELL, BRIONY!" Before he ducks down behind Phineas, laughing some.
Marduke comes wondering in a lost look on his face, but a rather easy going smile as he glances around and nods to everybody he sees and offers bows in all the right spots of course. "My my..." Grinning as he peers at the horse racing and nods to himself, "My my, it would appear the baroness is winning, as expected."
Oksana does get up to curtsey to the lady of Fen March when she is introduced, but she doesn't have much to say at the moment. Her gaze remains mostly on that race.
Carter charges on, flapping the reigns and digging his heels in which each bounding stride the horse makes to make Ember race harder and faster, cries of encouragement flying from his lips as he gains ground with each jump, easily clearing each Pig Pen and leaving only just enough room to prepare for the next till he has Briony and the next obstacle in his sight.
Cael walks his stallion back to the startling line, brushing dirt and grass off and staying long enough to make sure that the young man tending to him is sure the horse is well, "Yes sir," he calls to Phineas. "Clearly my mistake, sir. In my defense, I was right on her tail."
Sixth Obstacle: The Golden Ring - Riders must pluck a golden ring off a swinging pole set in an open bit of field. There are plenty of rings for all riders competing. Riders need to have a ring to complete the race.
Briony aims towards the ring, leaning down so that the grey can make the most of his speed and long legs. When the rocking ring holder comes in view, she raises up in her stirrups, holding her hand out until the thing is snatched... and almost fumbled out of her fingers and to the ground. "Oh!" she recovers, sliding the thing over her wrist.
On and on Arthur and his borrowed mount go, neither especially towards the front nor completely at the back. There's a bit of wobbling when the red-headed Fielder shifts in the saddle in order to reach for the ring, but he manages it on the first go, roaring past the post with a golden ring in hand. With a look of determination, he grips to it tight, and chuckles quietly at the mare, begging her for just a bit more speed.
Phailin steps into the pasture. Basket swinging on her arm. Attempting to watch what is going on. Who knows what kept her away. But there's a big ole grin on her face as she watches the horses fly by.
Cael settles back near the start, walking over to check his stallion and grab the brush, beginning to work on the mud and thistles on the coat - humming and talking to the stallion as he does.
Carter sways in the saddle some as he approaches the swinging pole, trying to match and then pre-empt it's motion. Over reaching by just a bit and coursing his horse to swerve with his weight, but at least the ring is snatched from the pole. Tucking it in his mouth and biting down on the ring so he can keep both hands on the reigns as does his best to try and close the ground between him and Briony.
Marduke grins and cheers at the horse racing with a few waves of his hand. Then settles back to watch more quietly glancing to who else is there and shaking his head, "My my..." Starting to wonder over towards Phineas and his group.
"DUN ARTAN!" Angus shouts riding at the pole. However installed the swinging pole did not have ponies in mind. There's no way he'll be able to reach one of the golden rings. But he's right on the tail of another horse, Carter's to be exact, and the strength that he pulls the pole with brings it lower than it would have been otherwise. Stretching his long skinny arms up, Angus snags one of the rings, jerking it free with another loud whoooop!
Knowing how important catching a ring is, Dorian again takes the more conservative approach to this obstacle, slowing enough to make sure he doesn't lose his balance, and grabbing a ring.
"Right, right," Phineas agrees with Serath. "Who're you? And you-- you're thatbard or something, aren't you?" he points at the arriving Marduke. "My wife and I were talking about patroning you or something." Ever classy, he goes back to giving a whoop for the remaining racers.
Conrad cheers loudly. "GO BRIONY!" The young man laughs, clapping as he leans up towards the railing "Way to GO!"
Oksana remains silent and observant, now of the race and of the spectators that are so close.
Marduke raises his eyebrows and offers a bow to Phineas with a chuckle, "that bard or something!" He offers his voice raising, but not in ire, but humor, "Oh to be that something else, to walk the walk of somebody else’s shoes, to see their dreams, their joys and their sorrows, but alas! I am forever doomed to walk these feet." Holding up a foot and tapping his boot, "Long and hard, slow and fast, close and far." A grin at that, "I am Marduke Danath Marcenti, at your service your grace."
In last place, Phoenix manages to snag a ring. Tinder, continues to fight with the Forester. The gelding throws its head, taking hold of the bit and unresponsive to its rider's directions. Not caring about the ring, and just wanting to get back up there with the other horses, it is a struggle to get Tinder steered towards the pole. Very nearly missing the ring entirely, the would-be-ranger, extends himself out of the saddle farther than would be advisable under other circumstances. Catching the edge of the golden circle in his hand, he pulls it free.
Lin looks over at Nix and sees his struggle. Eyes bog a bit when she takes notice who's horse he's riding and how badly he's doing. Wincing the whole while.
Seventh Obstacle: Stone Fence - The stone fence is just as it seems, a pile of stones crafted by some Earth Mage into an attractive arrangement looking like a reclining man, possibly the Keeper himself if one was to look at the thing from the right angle.
Serath turns back to Phineas and Marduke, a spark of recognition playing on his features at something, though he only offers, "Serath Vitrius Evanor. Nothing quite so fancy, your grace." He laughs softly, his gaze turning back toward the race, once again intent on those racing, "What was I thinking entering Thunderheart? I must be losing my mind."
Definitely running out of steam. The mare's hooves fall more heavily now, thundering along in game persuit of the bigger, more hardy creatures which are beginning to pass her. Arthur clutches his ring tightly, determined to at least finish the race despite the steady ground he's been losing since the chicken coops. Up and over the stone fence they go, landing also heavily on the other side.
For some reason, the stone fence is terrifying. Perhaps it is the grinning face of the Keeper leering up at Briony's horse, but the animal flat out refuses the jump and rears, kicking into the air with a squeal rather than take the jump. With some time to spare, Briony pulls the horse around in a wave of flashing hooves and streaming tail, and takes her charcoal grey horse over the jump at long last, Carter close behind.
Tears stream from Carter's eyes, stung from the wind and the breakneck pace, barrelling on towards the next jump. A glance is spared over his shoulder checking the position of the other racers. A laugh of disbelief is barked with the Pony and man from dun artan so close behind. "C'mon Ember.. one more!" he crows, or atleast something like that. It's a little harder to speak with a ring held in your teeth. Biting down hard the jump is made again, hooves just clipping the top of the obstacle and making the horse falter a little on the landing but the earth is churned up still and flung back as Ember carries on in the heat of the chase to take Briony.
Dorian can see the finish line in the distance. And only one obstacle to go! He gathers up a little bit of speed for the stone wall jump, making it easily, and keeping that momentum up. Since he hasn't been sprinting yet in the race, he puts all his horse's energy into the final stretch.
Gaining on Carter's bay after that last obstacle, Angus flattens himself along the mare's neck. "You can take him lassie!" He shouts at the shaggy little mare. She must take heart at the encouragement, leaping up and over the Keeper just off Ember's hind quarters. Carter's over-the-shoulder-glance is met by a rude gesture, but a wide smile, his electrified hair blowing wildly. Clearing the statue, Angus uses crop and boot to spur Buttercup onwards towards the final stretch. "Let's show that Fielder!"
"Serath. Mage, right? Mena had you on the necro council?" Phineas says with a nod toward the man. "Nice horse, powerful, but a bit large for the raw speed. He bore up well, though." Then he frowns at Briony's stutter. "WHAT THE FUCK BRIONY? DONT YA DARE SHAME THE FIELDS, I'LL WHOOP YER LEATHER-CLAD ASS!"
