A Lady's Runner - Lailya

[stolenhart]

Yshan had spent the better part of a month traveling around Ruatha's various runner cotholds looking for the runner Lailya wanted. Intelligent, fast, with good stamina those were only requirements. He'd went first to the cotholds where the long distance runners were kept, hoping to find a throwback among those herds. He'd found two or three worth working on and had them brought to Ruatha. Then he'd gone to the holds were the speedstock were kept and find another two there. Finally he went to the few holds who had permission to mingle the two in hopes of getting a fast runner for long distances. He didn't find any worth training, though he did find a few who might breed what he was looking for if crossed to an appropriate stallion.

Now after a month of looking he believed he'd found what Lailya had requested him to find. The runner was shorter than he liked but she made up for it with long legs. She had a very wide deep chest and her hindquarters were incredibly bunchy, her back and neck short. She was ugly in all sense of the word, especially with the large block head. But she was intelligent, there was a glean in her dark brown eyes that said so. He'd seen her explode from a standing start and race off across a field though whether or not she could keep the speed up was only promised not guarenteed by her wide chest. She was a rather non-descript reddish brown color that was pretty in it's own right. Still if Lailya didn't like her, Yshan might be tempted to keep her himself.

She'd already been broken to ride in less than a sevenday and for the last two Yshan had been working her over the rough terrain of the nearby hills at a steady canter working on her stamina. He knew she had speed, she'd tear around the turnout with a fury. She needed some stamina. She was intelligent though, especially for the hilly areas, rarely putting a foot wrong and never stepping in holes. She'd have been wasted on a race course. Today they were going back up into the hills but this time Lailya would be riding the mare while Yshan rode another runner he was training.

[kat]

Laylia had been looking forwards to meeting with Yshan to see the runner he'd chosen for her. Of course, she had a nice image in mind of what the runner would look like, but all of them indicated that it would be a lovely creature. She didn't have a color preference, but liked runners that were pleasing to the eye, just as anyone did. So, she'd formed all sorts of mental images on what her new runner would be like. Truth be told, she had every confidence that Yshan could find what she'd asked for. The man knew his runners, that was something she was certain of, and he'd taken a whole four sevendays to announce that he had a mare ready for her. So, it was with this anticipation that she put on her riding clothes, and headed out to the Ruathan stables to meet Yshan.

She was there in no time, and waited in the spot he'd asked her to by the fence, eagerly awaiting any sight of Yshan with her mare. Black, perhaps? Or maybe dun, roan, or grey? White was nice, too. She found herself chewing her lower lip slightly, feeling rather like a Weyrbrat who was awaiting a large surprise. Still, she was allowed to feel that way, right? She hadn't had her own runner for a while now, and like all Ruathans she had a passion for the beasts.

She leaned on the fence, looking about her. The stables were in good order, as always. She always did quiet assessments like this one even when she wasn't doing her rounds. Stalls were clean as they could be, runners were turned out to the fields or being worked with or groomed...it was a lovely mid winter's day, and the air was fairly warm and calm, the sun overhead making the heat rise even more. She didn't mind winter, but she was still a summer gal at heart. She kept looking around, taking note of this or that, while awaiting Yshan.

[stolenhart]

Yshan checked the mare's tack once more, making sure everything was in place. She was agitated with him over the bit but he didn't know if Lailya had the strength to ride bitless or not. It took a lot of upper body strength to control a fresh horse without a bit and while the mare was intelligent, she was still green and liable to start at anything she didn't know. Done with her, he turned to the gelding he was training. A much better looking specimen than the mare, the gelding was long-legged and incredibly quick. He was going to be a racer but he was extremely flighty and needed a bit of tempering before being turned loose on the race lanes.

"Alright", he said, gently batting a nose away. Satisifed he lead the two runners out and noted Lailya leaning on a corral. "My lady", he looped the reins for the gelding over the fence before presenting her with the mare. "I know she's a bit ugly and she stills some work distance wise but other than that she is what you asked for", he explained, hoping he wasn't about to get a talking too for a mud-colored scrub runner who was as ugly as what dragon's defecate between. He would of course have to defend the mare to his dying breathe, he liked her that much.

[kat]

Laylia saw Yshan approaching with two runners, but as he drew closer, he noted that one was a fine looking one...and there was no way on Pern that could have been the mare he had picked out for her. Laylia had pictured all manner of things, but this mare was not one of them. At best, it would be kind to call her unattractive. But even that would be an understatement for what she was. The runner had blocky head and a body that looked put together wrongly. Not even its coloration left anything to be desired, as if it didn't have enough of a physical deficiency without looking like a pile of mud! Her face was trying not to give her feelings away, and yet she still had to wonder-was this a joke of some sort?

As Yshan spoke, Laylia kept her mouth in a straight line, allowing him to speak. Oh, shardit...he was dead serious. This was no joke. He'd been all over searching for a runner for her-and this was the best he could do? She would look the fool for riding something that ugly. People surely would stare, and question what their Lady was doing on a beast like that, when all of Ruatha prided its wonderful and beautiful stock. Why, oh why, would Yshan choose this mare? Wherries were more attractive. Mud was more attractive. Yet the man looked at her with all seriousness, pointing out the mare's good points...and his eyes were almost daring her to say something cutting about the beast, while almost looking hopeful that she would give the poor thing a chance. Mares like the one before her were never bred. They were draft animals at best, they were...nothing. Yet he wanted her, the Lady Holder of Ruatha, to trust him that this runner was just the one she'd asked for.

There was a pause of silence, as she eyed Yshan, then steeled herself and took a deep breath. She didn't feel like insulting him if he was serious-but had the man seriously no idea what the Lady of Ruatha would look like on that? She wasn't prideful, but she did have pride and appearances meant something to her people even if they did not to her alone...another breath, and then, tone a little flat, clearing her throat, "you do have a way with words, Yshan. For you to say 'a little' you must really think this beast is worth what you say." She swallowed again, and then held back a sigh. Shells, but the beast was ugly. She almost had to feel sorry for it-and for herself for having to be seated on the thing. Yet, if he was serious....

She stepped closer, eying the mare dubiously, taking her nose in her hands while looking her in the eye. There was that gleam of intelligence in the mare's eyes, to be sure. She recognized it in the way the creature seemed to regard her, as if it was seizing her up just as she was seizing it up. Really, if only it wasn't so...unpleasant to the eyes. She felt its chest and withers, felt the legs. It was built in a manner that told her more than just the outward looks of it. A good chest, long legs, intelligence. Faranth's sake, all that was left was to test it out, and swallow her pride. For it was only pride and the fact that this mare was hideous to look upon and not at all what she'd expected in the looks department that kept her from wanting to accept that at least in her specifications she had seemingly been followed.

"Well, I guess I didn't specify looks, now did I?" she forced out, climbing over the fence and deftly hopping to the other side. She looked Yshan in the eye, and then said in a serious tone, "she had better make up for the lack of looks with performance. She was not..." another pause, and then, "I imagined many runners, and she is far from what I had thought you would pick for a Lady of Ruatha." She held her hand out to accept the reigns from him, feeling a slight churn in her stomach. If only she were not the sort to give all a fair chance, she would have told Yshan that this mare was unacceptable and to take it back to whence it came and find her a real runner she could actually be seen on. Yet, she did not, and maybe that was what made her different than any other Lady Holder. She could swallow whatever pride she might have for the sake of giving someone-even a mare uglier than a wher's behind-a chance.

[stolenhart]

So the Lailya had a bit of pride to her. Pity that. Inwardly Yshan sighed as he handed over the reins. "You wanted a runner that doesn't really exist yet", he told her. "I can get you pretty speed or pretty stamina. I can even get you pretty intelligence, but pretty all three?", he shook his head, removing the gelding's reins from the fence. "That's asking a bit much. Bred her to good looking-intelligent stallions and in a few turns you will have what you are looking for in a runner. But for now she will have to do", he explained, climbing up on the long-legged gelding. "Of course if you want a nicer looking horse I can get one of those for you to try out. Still they won't be of her caliber".

Yshan wasn't an idiot, he knew the mare wasn't much to look at but he had been forcibly removed from the type of thinking that Lailya had and he had realized long since, pretty is as pretty does not as pretty was. Back at the Hold he never would have looked at the mare twice either, might have even killed the man for bringing him such a runner. Then he'd been chased out of the Hold and come North. He'd thrown over everything from his past to make a new start here. He needed a woman so bad but that had been a part of his past, as was drinking and gambling. New Yshan was a boring creature indeed, interested only in runners. Yshan didn't realize that, so firm was his belief in the runner, that he had dropped his accent and was speaking properly, a habit he had tried to forget.

[kat]

He was right, and Laylia knew it. She hadn't wanted perfection, just a good mix of both. But her wording was such that Yshan had taken it very literally-she could appreciate that, she supposed. Ugly or no, he sounded like he put a lot of faith and stock in this mare. She mounted easily, settling into the saddle and sitting there a moment just to get the feel of the runner beneath her, before making her do a turn, noting how her steps fell, and how she moved. She did a turn the other way, while waiting for Yshan to saddle up, her focus mostly on the runner now. She stepped without hesitation, doing a neat turn either way...not bad, really. But the real test would be the ride they were going on. Which reminded her...

"I packed lunch, I thought perhaps we might get hungry?" It was a common enough courtesy, she supposed, to bring something to eat when you were going on a rather longish ride to test out a new runnerbeast. However, she had picked up on something that just hit her now...where was the thick accent? The voice Yshan had just used had not been rough, full of accent. It had been cultured and civil, and for the first time she noted his voice had a nice sort of tone to it. Still, she thought wiser of not commenting. Given how he was, he likely wouldn't thank her for it. Probably would go back to speaking with the accent, too. Still she hid a small smile and waited, the mare beneath her steady and not even fidgeting much at all. She had also brought fruit for the two runners, as always. Hopefully Yshan would be hungry because today was rather nice out, and she planned on testing out this runner to the full before coming to any decision.

Had he remembered her hint at promotions coming up? The position was there, ready to be filled...and she had all but said he could have it...if the runner was satisfactory. Ugly...but maybe there was character in her that belied more than just her unseemly face. For instance, she had lovely wide eyes with long lashes. The mud brown had a few lighter, reddish highlights, the mane and tail, a dark black, looked healthy enough. She just had to be positive. Maybe no one would notice she rode an ugly runner? Now, she figured, she was deluding herself.

[stolenhart]

He watched her turn the runner a few times noting with satisfaction the mare turned well. "All she needs is a bit of work and time spent on her and you'll be able to neck rein her", he explained wiggling in his saddle until he was comfortable. The gelding dancer under him, causing Yshan to bring him up sharply. "Lunch? I suppose we can stay out that long", he had a few more runners to work today but they wouldn't take too long to see to this afternoon. "I brought him because he's as quick as she is and they have about the same stamina level so he can keep up with her. She needs a lot of work to go into her to get her stamina up but with time she'll improve". Her body type promised stamina but like any skill it needed to be worked on over time. The gelding though was just along because he needed to get used to other runners, he'd never have her stamina, he was long, lean and too fast for his own good.

His piece being said he gave the gelding a bit of rein letting the runner move into a fast trot and rode out of Ruatha and up a wagon trail. The gelding had a rough trot and Yshan gritted his teeth and bore it until they were well-clear of the hold before letting the gelding move into a smoother canter. It was easy to see that the gelding was a racing animal and not a riding one. He glanced over his shoulder to make sure Lailya and the mare were coming along nicely as they finally entered a flat stretch of land.

[kat]

As they set out, Laylia was all the while keeping at least half her attention on the mare beneath her. Seeing how she reacted to subtle movements, how responsive she was to the feeling of her legs squeezing lightly...there was much she had to get a feel for, but she had to admit the mare's gait was steady and comfortable, and she responded to even the slightest of touches.

"Anything worthwhile requires some effort and work," she replied to Yshan. However, he sped up into a trot and she gave the appropriate movement to speed up the mare, as well. Unlike the gelding Yshan rode, her trot was so very smooth and relaxed that it was a sheer joy. If her speed and footing were as good, and what Yshan said about her stamina was true as well? Laylia loved to ride, almost more than anything. A pretty horse, she had to admit, meant nothing if it weren't a good one for riding. This mare, though...she caught up to Yshan, riding alongside him and his gelding, wanting to chuckle at the apparent unsteady trot of the other's runner. However, she merely asked, "giving you a bit of a time of it, is he?" Then, curiously, "how long did she take to break in?" She knew Yshan had said he'd located the mare in a little over a month, but her duties made her forget how long it had been since then-a couple of sevendays, perhaps?

The mare seemed not at all phased by the other runner beside it. She just kept her pace and though she seemed a bit unhappy with the bit in her mouth, she wasn't acting up in any way but the slight movement of her head to the sides, to show her disapproval. Had Yshan put the bit in there for her comfort alone? Well, if that was the case, perhaps after lunch she'd see how the mare did without it! She was bemused by the thought that someone might think her to need a bit. She needed no bit for any horse, be it stallion or mare who was flighty. She had been riding sooner than she'd been walking, her father had seen to that! So, it was with pleasure she anticipated the ride after lunch-perhaps Yshan didn't know the Lady of Ruatha was no frail creature!

[stolenhart]

He glanced over as Lailya brought the mare alongside the gelding. The male horse snorted a bit and shied away, dancing about playfully while Yshan regained control. The runner wasn't having none of it and finally Yshan had to correct him roughly. "Now look'ere beast", he said, making sure the runner's ears were pinned back, "I ain't hav'n none o' that now", he added waiting for the gelding to calm down. Once he did he let the runner catch up with Lailya. "Yes, silly beast", he still didn't catch the difference in his two accents but then it was natural for him to talk in two different ways.

"About a sevenday actually. Like I said she is very intelligent though I noticed a streak of stubborness when I trained her. For the most part though she was well-behaved", he explained. The gelding tried to nip the mare and got rewarded with a firm slap of the reins on his shoulder. "I know she doesn't like the bit but I feel better with her having it for now. She needs some riding time before I will trust her with a bitless bridle", he explained then added with an impish grin, "Race you", that said he gave the gelding his head and zoomed away quickly.

[kat]

Laylia was a bit intrigued to hear how Yshan would lapse into the accent and then out again. Well, it made sense. He had come from the South and yet he could speak as though he were civilized towards the Northern tongue, too. It was interesting, to say the least. She watched the way he handled the gelding with interest, as well. He was gentle, but firm. The best way to go, of course. She had checked in on him a few times though not much in the past couple of sevendays-once he'd affirmed he'd found her a mare, she'd wanted it to be a surprise. Well, it was a surprise, that was for sure. Not what she'd expected, but he was right-she might as well have asked for it all. The mare couldn't be perfect in every aspect. So far, she was a great ride, however.

Laylia listened quietly as Yshan spoke about her mare, feeling she agreed. There would always be something to work on, but bit or no she still felt she could handle her with a firm and steady hand. She'd rode stallions with far more fire in them than this mare. Yshan had done a good job of taming her up and quieting her down thus far. Stubbornness, in smaller doses, at least, meant a good brain. In larger doses? It could mean the opposite. Suddenly, Yshan surprised her by taking off on the gelding after simply saying 'race you.' She was so surprised for a minute she took a few seconds to urge the mare to go after him. What happened next she didn't expect.

She'd rode racing stock too, of course. Some of the finest there was came from Ruatha, after all. Still, she wasn't prepared for it when the mare all but shot out like she did from a slow trot into a full speed run! She actually yelped, gripping the reigns tightly and leaning forwards, in awe of how fast she'd took off, in awe of her speed. How long could she keep this up for? She tore after Yshan's gelding as if she were the wind itself, and she couldn't restrain a 'whoop' of excitement and joy at how fast the beast was. Now this was a mare fit for her!

The pounding of the mare's hooves could be heard as she strove to gain on the gelding, who'd had a few seconds head start. Still, she was gaining. Soon, she was at the gelding's flank, and she was feeling that lovely, competitive air of one who is on a good horse and wills it to catch up to the other, and hopefully to pass it! Still, the gelding was racing material. He was fast, though she might have been faster for longer distances. The mare remained at the others' flank, then strove forwards so that her nose was even with its side. Laylia made a 'hya!' sound, though she wasn't the sort who felt the need to crack the reigns. No, the mare was doing great as was!

[stolenhart]

Yshan glanced under his arm to see the mare come thundering up alongside the gelding's flank. He felt the runner surge forward, catching his competition out of the corner of his eye. For a moment the gelding gained ground then began to lose it again. Lailya's runner's nose came to Yshan's leg and started inching forward. Yshan was just about to slow the runner when the runner checked himself and fell back sharply, breathing hard. "Ye lazy beast", Yshan said, though he rubbed a sweaty hand against the runner's sweaty neck. The gelding had done well never having been meant to be a long distance speedster. He'd held his own just until that last dragon length. Oh well, blood would tell every time.

He hoped off the runner, loosening the saddle girth and began to walk beside the beast cooling the animal out. So many of the trainers simply left the cooling off to grooms who were usually to busy to see it taken care of properly. Yshan liked to cool his own runenrs out, make sure they weren't injured. In this case it was because the gelding wasn't his but a Holder under Lailya who would have his head if the runner came back injured. He walked patiently, waiting to either catch up with Lailya or have her turn back to meet him.

[kat]

Any doubts Laylia had about the mare were now gone, as she slowed her down and then did a fairly neat turn to face back to where Y'shan and the gelding were. There was a rather elated light in her eyes as she trotted back to the man and the gelding, remaining as she brought the mare up to a halt next to the other runner.

"She's fast," she acknowledged, and then, "despite her unseemly appearance, I think her and I will get on just fine." She got off the mare and did the same as Y'shan had, loosening the saddle and walking alongside her, admiring her silently before she cleared her throat. After another moment's silence, she said amiably, "well, you'll find that the living quarters for Stablemaster are quite larger than the one you're in now. Plus I'll have to show you some of your new responsibilities. Since you'll be in charge of all the Stablehands, you'll be expected to do things such as train new ones and keep track of their pay. Still up for it, then?" she asked with a near playful smile on her lips. She was quite sure he would be, obviously.

The mare walked alongside her with ease, not seeming all that tired from the run they'd just taken. She might have to work on her stamina, it was true--but she had no doubts about the mare having a good deal of it. Her chest was wide and her build spoke in volumes. Really, she was a prize of a runner. Just a pity she didn't look it! Well, it didn't matter to her what people said. Since when had it? She knew the mare was a fine beast for all intensive purposes, and she wasn't shallow enough to turn her down based on a less than average appearance.

[stolenhart]

He lifted a black eyebrow when she mentioned showing him his new responsibilities. Teach him would she? He roleld his eyes inwardly, careful to not make a show of anything as he responded. "I've trained stablehands before so yes, I am up for it", he replied, "Thank you for the honor though my lady", he added with a thankful nod of his head as he walked. Save him from such thoughts. He might be a Southerner but that didn't mean he was stupid or inept. Runners had been his life for Turns and he knew how to train people to deal with them himself.

"I'm glad she'll work for you. It took awhile to find her. I'll be on the lookout for a suitable stallion for her as well. I expect her foals will be exactly what you want, pretty looks and all", he explained to her. Now that the gelding was cooled he retightened the girth and climbed back on. "Are you going to Astoth's Hatching in a few months?", the gold had just had her flight so it was only assumption that there would be a Hatching soon.

[kat]

Lailya did likewise with the mare, climbing back on with apparent ease and then nodding and affirming, "I'd like that, she'll bear some wonderful runners I'm sure!" She was indeed sure of it. If the runners her mare bred had looks along with her traits, they'd be absolutely amazing stock. No one would guess their dam wasn't much to look at, if bred to a handsome stallion. She began to ride along at a slow but comfortable pace alongside Y'shan, glancing over at him curiously when he asked if she'd be at the hatching.

"Of course I'll go--I always do. Ruatha wouldn't dishonor it's Weyr by me not attending," she explained, and then, "as we've no Lord Holder at the moment I represent Ruatha." The words 'Lord Holder' were slightly tinged with disdain. Faranth knew they'd tried to marry her off countless times, all to no avail. She would marry when she was ready, and only to a man she thought as capable as she of taking care of her Hold. So far, none had risen to meet her challenge that she found suitable. It was no secret amongst the Hold that she did her job, and did it well--or that they still wanted to have a Lord and Lady Holder. All the other Holds had a Lord Holder. Lailya, however, wanted a man who didn't undermine her ability to be just as useful and good for the Hold as he was. She wanted someone who would love and respect her both. Perhaps it was asking to much, but she felt it was within her rights to ask it.