Training Field
This wide-open area so the south of the villa has been pounded flat by generations of running Lapi and Vykarin. An oval track surrounds a jousting area, with target practice dummies off to one side. The air has a have of suspended dust that never quite settles before being stirred up again.

Euphrosyne has been mollified by Layth's massage treatments, and doesn't seem to bear any grudge against him for beating her in unarmed combat. She leads the buck to this spot after a few queries at the villa, just in time to see Tasha attempt to steer a Vykarin with her knees. Lucia sits on the short grass next to Aaron, calling out instructions.

"If you ever wish to spar again, Lady Euphrosyne, do please let me know. I found it exhilarating and educational," Layth notes quietly to the warrior. And then when he notices Tasha on the large creature, his brow goes up. "Nothing good will come of this," he mutters to himself.

"Oi, wha'-" Tasha lurches left heavily, almost losing her handhold. "click pop, you! No wait wron-" Then she really does fall off, losing her grip as the Vykarin banks right suddenly, hurling her to the dirt. She lands in a inelegant roll, skidding to a stop in the dust. "Oi. Ow." She just lays there for a moment, blinking up at the sky.

"She hasn't fallen off yet," Aaron comments, looking back and up towards Layth, thus missing Tasha's tumble. "Oh, wait… well, at least her butt is already naturally red. I don't suppose you know how to ride Vykarin already, Layth?"

Eadwig nuzzles the back of Tasha's head helpfully.

"The only memory I have of them is riding with my mother," Layth says with a shake of his head. "I would fair no better."

Tasha reaches up and rubs Eadwig's muzzle a bit, then stands up. "Not your fault," she tells the Vykarin, kneeling to ruffles his face fur all up. "Wan' to try that again?" Her eyes stray past the red-shelled Vykarin to Layth and the new arrivals, and she waves to them.

"You will need to practice then," Euphrosyne says, and then gestures to one of the milling Vykarin that have been watching – a pale shelled mare with yellowish fur, who comes over in a somewhat timid trot.

"Wait, I'm expected to ride?" Layth asks and then pauses to rub the bridge of his nose. When one of the Vykarin actually starts heading over, his brow goes up. "Ah, hello?" he says, the Lapi looking rather confused.

"The training would go more smoothly with an experienced mount," Lucia says. "But Aldara is determined to learn with Eadwig. Oh, that is Albinka, Layth, she's very… docile."

Aaron glances over towards the purple shelled Vykarin – Oinone – that he picked at random. The Vykarin is apparently napping, with a big bubble inflating and deflating from his right nostril. "Docile is good," he comments.

Albinka gives Layth a shy 'whurf' as she comes up next to him.

"Forgive me, but I have to wonder if there is further meaning I should read into that, Lady Lucia," Layth observes. The Lapi tilts his head and considers the Vykarin, then finally asks, "How are mounts chosen? Do they choose you, you them, or something else?"

Eadwig squats down so Tasha can climb back on.

"'E won me fair an' square, an' I appreciate that sort 'o thing in men," Tasha declares. "An', it's the way o' Abaddon." What Tasha lacks in skill, she makes up for in gusto. She swings her leg over Eadwig quickly, remounting. "'Ere we go! click-click-growf-whirrrrr!" The Vartan also seems to be able to do a rather good impression of a Vykarin clicking – must be the canine muzzle.

"Generally you choose for complimentary color and hope the personalities are compatible," Euphrosyne says. "If not, you try again until you find one that you mesh well with."

Eadwig stands up, then gallumphs over to the others and pokes Albinka in the side with his snout, causing the female to nearly curl up into a ball.

"You just have to learn how to stay on, Layth," Aaron says. "They'll follow the leader, and that's all we need to do anyway."

Tasha grins down at Layth and Lucia both, patting Eadwig. "I love Vykarins," she announces.

Layth reaches out to tentatively pat Albinka's muzzle-cheek. And the suddenness of Eadwig's appearance and poking of Albinka makes the Lapi move and try to position himself between the two. "Did you tell him to do that?" he asks Tasha.

"Oi, no. I said get goin'. He does the pokin' 'imself," Tasha answers defensively. "Now … ," she grins at Layth a bit more, clickity click Layth!"

"Eadwig is naturally very outgoing," Lucia explains, Just before the scarlet Vykarin tries to pounce on Layth, tongue lolling.

Layth tries to leap sideways and drop into a defensive stance.

Dodging isn't something Eadwig is prepared for, so he barely notices when Layth vanishes, and just pounces on Aaron instead. "Aaaieeee!" the Lapi screams.

Tasha almost ends up falling off again, but at least she hangs laughing. "'E's my favorite," she chortles as she peers down at Aaron. "I should 'ave done this a long time ago. 'Ey, you're no' Layth!"

"He's slobbering on me!" the pinned Aaron complains.

"Means 'e likes you," Tasha insists. Then, as an afterthought, she adds, "Or tha' 'e thinks you're delicious."

"I see you are going to be trouble on this journey, Lady Tasha," Layth observes as he walks back over to Albinka. He pats her reassuringly and then adds, "I shall endeavor to correct such behaviors, of course." Finally returning his attention completely to the Vykarin, he asks her, "So, shall we try this, then?"

The smaller female crouches down for Layth, so that he doesn't have to jump.

"Albinka is the granddaughter of my own Konstancja," Euphrosyne explains. "She's very intelligent, if less rambunctious than the other adolescents."

"Trouble the name 'o me game, s'what we're after," Tasha says. She pats Eadwig's wide, click-pops something, then leads the Vykarin off Aaron. "Let'sgo race aroun' a bit. Layth will get grumpy at me if I mess with 'im too much." Tasha leans down, and adds in whisper, " … We can get 'im later."

Layth does his best to try and mount the Vykarin without embarrassment to either of them. He manages it so some degree of success, at least and even ends up facing forwards. "I am sorry if they pick on you," he whispers to her.

Eadwig's ears perk up at the mention of 'race' and he's off like a rocket towards the track.

"Wha- waaah!" Tasha slides back an inch, fingers clawing for a grip until she catches an armor segment. Then, leaning forward and inching up, she regains her position and laughs some more.

The pale Vykarin clicks something in reply, and stands up without rolling her shoulders too much. She may be small for a Vykarin, but she doesn't have any problem carrying Layth's weight.

Once he's back on his feet and brushed off most of the dust and drool, Aaron heaves a sigh. "Crazy… all canines are nuts," he mutters.

"Will we be learning to fight on these?" Layth asks Euphrosyne as he's getting settled in. He curves his legs out a bit, then pulls in his calves, trying to grip her midsection for stability. "And we are in agreement there, Master Lightfoot," he notes.

"Oh, certainly not," Euphrosyne says. "That would take far too long, and these Vykarin are young. The escorting Warriors and Guardians will do the fighting."

"How many do you believe will be escorting us?" Layth asks and actually looks a bit disconcerted at the idea of someone fighting to defend him. "And, ah, what should I do now? Try to ride the course?"

"I bet we could fight somethin'," Tasha tells Eadwig loudly as the mount races around the track. "If I 'ad a bow I could try targets ridin'!" She then tilts her head back, and howls!

A chorus of Vykarin howls go up to meet Tasha's, causing Aaron to cover his ears.

"There will be me, my two sons, and Lucia if needed," Euphrosyne says. "And you should get used to how Albinka moves, so you probably should run the course."

"I must admit, I do not like the idea of being one of those protected," Layth admits with a sigh. The Lapi then leans down and says to Albinka, "Forgive my lack of skill. Please, let us run the course. I shall try to not be a burden."

Tasha lifts a hand and waves to the other Vykarins, calling to them, "Come on! We'll all ride together!"

A dozen other eager adolescents crowd onto the track now, jostling for position, tripping over each other, and otherwise acting just like teenaged drivers. Into this mess Albinka merges quietly, weaving and dodging with the litheness of a ballerina.

Layth keeps himself lowered down on the back of the Vykarin, keeping his legs firmly gripping her midsection. There are a few moments where Layth does nearly slide off, though and he has to shift himself quickly. Hard to say if the buck is enjoying this or not, as his expression is one of intense concentration. "Beautiful," he says quietly to Albinka, "flow as the wind, not as the wild storm. And above all, let's make sure to outrun Tasha, or she may be quite insufferable later."

"Take the lead, Eadwig," Tasha encourages her mount, slapping his side. It doesn't even look like she heard Layth – it's just the way she is. "You can do it! You're the best!"

"Whurf!" replies Eadwig, who charges ahead on his thick legs. Albinka closes in, largely by not being stepped on by the others.

"Be careful and do not move too close to her," Layth whispers, "Glide, flow."

Tasha glances back, brows raising when she spots Layth behind her. "Oi, me bunny's catchin' up! Faster, Eadwig! Can't let Layth win!" She hunkers down, then urges her mount forward!

Albinka isn't exactly certain what 'glide' and 'flow' mean, being a very down-to-earth sort of creature that doesn't pay much attention to wind and water. So, she does what she considers the intent to be: follow very very closely, nose to tail as it where.

Layth would rub the bridge of his nose if he could right now. But, he can't, so, he just shakes his head slowly and looks moderately depressed.

The game of not-quite-tag goes on for a full lap around the track, with Albinka being Eadwig's shadow with the rest of the pack at their heels.

Tasha glances back, blinking again. Apparently, she hadn't expected Layth to direct his mount to stick her nose to Eadwig's tail. Her head tilts, ears go askew, then she just wags at Layth and grins at him and his mount toothily.

"Pass if you can," Layth tells Albinka simply. He doesn't smile back, the buck merely focuses on not falling off at this point.

"Don' let 'er pass, stay infron' o' 'er," Tasha tells Eadwig. Then, deciding that's not enough, she click-pops the directions again as best she can. The Vartan's starting to sound more half-Vykarin than half-Jupani.

"Rurr?" Albinka responds, and then tries to figure out how to pass when Eadwig really doesn't want her to. So, she bites his tail, then dodges to the side when he suddenly slows down to see what bit him.

"Oi, bitin' are we?" Tasha looked back too, frowning when Albinka dodges around. Eyeing the other female, Tasha opens her own mouth and shows her rows of teeth. "C'mere! You!" She pats Eadwig's side harder. "An' faster!"

"Keep distance," Layth tells Albinka, "You're doing fine. Don't let her distract you." The buck really doesn't look away much from the track ahead, and his expression is one of … discomfort.

"Growf!" Eadwig growfs, not seeing what bit him. He works himself back up to speed, tongue flapping in the breeze.

In response, Tasha makes a lot of growling and snapping, trying to intimidate Albinka and thus further Eadwig's lead.

Albinka can't help but cringe a bit at Tasha's expression, and moves further away.

"She won't hurt you," Layth tells the Vykarin. "She's only trying to scare you."

"Don' bet on it," Tasha insists. "I bite Layth all the time!"

"You hurt her and you will have some very lonely nights," Layth says simply and never even looks at Tasha.

"She bit first!" Tasha exclaims defensively. "I won' be intimidated by YOU, either! Faster Eadwig!"

"Urrr?" Eadwig goes, but tries to put on more speed, panting harder. Albinka, being lighter and leggier, is still fresher – so long as she doesn't push too hard. She doesn't make any attempt to match Eadwig's speed now, letting him pull ahead.

Layth shakes his head and pats Albinka's neck. "Let her go if you wish. Do not over-exert yourself," he tells her. "Like an agressive fire, it burns bright, but far too quickly."

Several of the hangers on begin to drop out now, out of breath.

Tasha looks back, glaring at Layth momentarily, then reaches forward to rub Eadwig's neck. "Alrigh', we're done. Let'sgo sit down an' 'ave a breather – I'll rub your paws," she tells him.

"Keep going a bit longer, please. I wish to try something," Layth tells Albinka. The buck then slowly releases the points where he grips her shell and tries to ride just holding with his legs, testing his balance.

Eadwig starts to slow down, his footing slipping now and then as he tries to bleed off inertia. Albinka catches up again once the scarlet Vykarin begins to slow.

Tasha pats Eadwig's neck, then points towards an expanse of grass. "Let'sgo over there when you're ready, Eadwig." She repeats in clicks, pops, and growls.

Eadwig heads for the spot, panting loudly now, and collapses inelegantly onto the grass with a "Whurffff" sound.

Layth isn't paying much attention to anything other than trying to balance without gripping with his hands. His position is tenuous at best, through and he starts to slip. On the next curve, the buck finally loses his grip and goes into a tumble onto the hard track. There's a small cloud of dust and several thumping sounds before the buck comes to a stop on his stomach. "That was pathetic," he mutters to himself.

After dismounting, Tasha walks over to Eadwig's side and kneels down beside him. She picks up one of Eadwig's paws, and begins massaging it out. "We won as long as we chose to fight," she explains. "Bu' we don' need to push it to the end, if it 'urts us." She leans over and pats the Vykarin's side.

Albinka circles back around to Layth, and offers a forepaw to help him back up.

Carrying a bucket of water, Aaron reaches Tasha and Eadwig. He sets the bucket down for the Vykarin to guzzle from, wipes his forehead, and asks Tasha, "So, getting the hang of it?"

Layth uses the offered paw to get himself back up. "That was my fault," he tells her, "I am not a worthy rider. Please forgive me."

"Aye," Tasha answers. "I thin' I'll come 'ere, if I can, an' I don' 'ave to do anythin' else. I wan' to be a good rider."

Albinka licks Layth's cheek, and squats down for him to climb on again.

Layth eases himself back up on the Vykarin and asks, "Do you wish to go join them and rest?" He motions towards Aaron and the others.

Albinka takes the question for a request, and trots over towards the gathering without bouncing Layth about too much.

Tasha switches paws, walks around to pick up Eadwig's other paw and drop it in her lap. She works the toes and rubs the pads out. "You're the best, Eadwig," she murmurs.

Eadwig burps. Twice, once at each end.

Layth slides himself off, then drops into splits to stretch out muscles that were starting to tighten up. "Where are the buckets, Master Lightfoot? I should get one for her," he says and motions towards Albinka.

Tasha just giggles, shaking her head. "Well 'e's 'alf as crude as some 'o me boyfriends," she remarks to to no one in particular.

"Ah, so he's your boyfriend, then?" Layth asks absently as the works on stretching out a few muscles.

The pale Vykarin doesn't seem thirsty or out of breath, actually.

"'E's my Eadwig," Tasha replies, as if that explained everything. "Do you wan' your foot massaged too, Layth?"

"There's a trough," Aaron says, looking a bit out of breath as well. "Couldn't get yours to wear herself out, eh, Layth? I guess she's smart enough to know when to ignore her rider then," the buck says, grinning stupidly.

"That would be unecessary," Layth notes to Tasha. Then with a shrug to Aaron, he says, "Actually, I don't think she understand me at all. I am a terrible Amazonian, it seems. She deserves better."

"Well, a terrible Amazonian is a good description of you, I suppose," Aaron agrees. "Of course, your not as bad of one as I am, but nobody's perfect."

"Terribly whiny," Tasha remarks. "Khattan's are too polite! Jus' try 'arder an' ride more, Layth, an' you'll do fine. Don' you wan' to show me up? Isn' tha' why you tried to beat me?" She glances at the male Lapi, raising a brow.

"Show you up? No. Push you, yes," Layth answers simply. "If all victories seem easy, you won't be ready for real dangers. You will be too sure of yourself."

"An' why'd you 'ave to threaten me? You think I could 'urt 'er with a bite?" Tasha laughs, but without much humor. "Look!" She lifts Eadwig's paw, and bites on his leg, showing how thick his hide is. "Can't 'urt 'im! Albinka was behind because she's too shy. Tha's 'er weakness."

Albinka settles down into the grass and watches the Lapis and the red winged sky god quietly.

"Threaten you? I stated what the outcome would be if you bit her," Layth says, looking a bit confused. "You … truly do not understand me at all," the buck finally says and then rolls out of his stretch. "Do you realize if she had thrown me what could have happened? I'm durable, but I would not have survived without significant injury if those trailing behind trampled me afterward," the buck adds, then goes off to get a bucket of water anyway.

Aaron leans in and whispers to Tasha, "Frankly, after the sort of jostling Layth's had on his first ride, you probably shouldn't expect anything tonight anyway. Guardians learn a muscle trick to prevent this problem… "

Tasha frowns a moment, then waves it off. "Oi, you would 'ave been fine. She's cares too much abou' you to let you fall off." The Vartan stands up, walks over to Albinka, and kneels down in front of her. "You love Layth? Yes? You're too nice a girl to let 'im 'urt himself. Yes, yes you are!" She reaches over and tries to ruffle Albinka up.

Tasha cough in laughter at Aaron's comment as she passes him, trying very hard to keep a straight face.

Albinka just looks at Tasha like she's in some sort of trouble.

Layth returns with another bucket and sets it beside Albinka in case she wants a drink at some point. "What other items must you complete before you leave? I still must speak with Lady Aisha to see if I can go, of course," the buck says.

Tasha sighs, shaking her head. "Wha' the word for I like you an' it's okay? Click-click … Oi, 'ow abou' this." Tasha leans forward and slurps Albinka on the nose. After that, she answers Layth. "Aaron will 'andle food, medicine, an' bits like that. We need to know abou' the culture an' the area. We can try Lucia, Aaron, or the libraries."

Aaron says, "Don't look to me for cultural information. I've never been outside of Dianus in Amazonia."

"I only have faded memories," Layth notes with a shrug, "and are there libraries here? Writing wasn't the most commonplace here last I knew."

"Some of the priests can read and write," Aaron says.

"Didn' you said you could 'elp with diplomacy?" Tasha asks Aaron, looking at him in askance. "Well, wha'ever. Someone's got to know."

"We may learn more about the cultures ahead, by asking groups we meet along the way," Layth notes absently. "I would also like to say I find it concerning the number of people we are endangering on this trip."

"I explained that," Aaron says to Tasha. "I can tell you when to run away. Oh, and probably what not to say to some puffed up barbarian queen having a bad day."

"It's abou' showin' enough force so we don' 'ave to fight," Tasha explains. She lets Albinka go, returning to her own mount as she continues to talk. If we're too strong to attack, no one's goin' to fight us. Lucia said we need six, so a mix o' both, for combatants. Then there's me an' you, Aaron, an' whoever else comes. We'll 'ave mounts, so we'll be fast, aye? It's abou' lookin' tough."

"There is always someone tougher. What will you do if we face combat? What will you do if people traveling with us die? What would you tell Roland, for example, if Lucia was killed? You have to consider these things. No plan ever works perfectly," Layth points out and just sits down near Albinka. "Are you ready to face that? Can you accept that responsibility?"

"Lucia chose to come, so did you, an' Aaron. Warriors are Warriors 'cause they wan' to fight – it's their way. I'd be sad if anyone dies, an' I'd kick meself in the bum 'ard if it was my fault, bu' I won' worry abou' deaths in work. Airship work's dangerous too, aye? Sometimes, people die." Tasha drops her head back against Eadwig, using him as a tough pillow. "An' course there's someone tougher. We'll plan the bes' we can – worryin' pas' tha' is a waste o' time."

"She has a point," Aaron notes.

Layth rubs the bridge of his nose and sighs. "I just want her to understand the risk she is taking and putting on others. She's never seen real combat as far as I know. I have. I've seen you get excited and eager in fulfilling whatever you are to do there, and it just reminds me of some of the hired guards the caravans used. I just … forget it," he says and then just waves his hand.

"You're goin' to get wrinkles early, Layth," Tasha jokes, although she sounds quite serious. "'Ow am I ever goin' to know, unless I go? Is there some way to see combat an' know? Abaddon gave me a mission, an' 'E thinks I can 'andle it. I'm goin', either alone, or with all you. I said it'd be 'ard, an' you're still comin'. Tha's enough for me." She smiles a little, patting Eadwig. "I didn' chose Abaddon 'cause 'E's easy, aye? I chose 'im because it's a 'ard road."

"I've got my own reasons for going," Aaron says.

"Forgive me, but I have heard that before too. But, I shall not say anything further on it because you will get mad," Layth replies and then just falls back into the grass and looks skyward.

"Wan' to stay behind?" Tasha tilts her head, looking curious. "You don' 'ave a lot o' faith in me, do you? Tha's fine. Why don' you stay with Aisha?"

"I'm afraid for you and what you're taking on, it does not mean I do not wish to go," Layth notes quietly. "I want you to prove me wrong."

Tasha folds her arms, giving Layth a disgruntled look, ears back. "Well if you 'ave some advice, jus' give it to me. I've talked to everyone 'ere an' I'm goin' off wha' they say, 'cause they know this better than me. Am I missin' somethin'?" She raises a brow challengingly, glancing at Layth first, then everyone else.

The Vykarins don't seem to have anything to add, nor does Aaron, who doesn't want to get between the two.

"Could you order me into a situation which my death would be certain, but it would save everyone else?" Layth asks. "Would your decisions be clouded by how you feel about me?"

"You'd do it anyway! You'd be all, "Tasha, my honor demands I 'ave at these guys an' die for you all." I think tha's the way you wan' to go," the Vartan replies. She grins slightly, trying to make light of a uncomfortable truth. "Bu' could I tell you to? I don' know. I 'avn't 'ad to, so I don' know. 'Ow does anyone know unless they do it? I can' jus' order your death as a test, aye?"

"And don't look at me for testin', either," Aaron pipes in.

"I can' kill you," Tasha tells Aaron, "I'm goin' to eat you later." She grins toothily, then leans over and ruffles Eadwig up. "Isn't tha' righ', Eadwig!"

"Whurf," Eadwig agrees.

"Then, I have faith in you," Layth answers and smiles. "You don't know, and you know you don't. You have started to understand your limits and you answer honestly. I think you'll do fine."

"And to clarify something, I do not want to die," Layth says flatly.

Tasha snorts, then nods slowly. She opens her mouth, glares a bit, then suddenly lets her anger go. She leans back and smiles. "I think tha's wha' 'e kept tellin' to me to do! I guess I got it, if jus' no' like I thought." She pats the ground next to her for Layth to join her. "C'mere. An' I know you don' – I jus' think you wan' to die to 'elp others. You live to serve, it is."

"You'd better not die, because I'm not stepping in to give backrubs and whatnot," Aaron says, leaning back against Albinka's shell.

"If 'e dies, I'll kill 'em," Tasha insists.

Layth scoots himself along the ground to the spot indicated. "I have no intention of dying. What the fates intend, though, I cannot control. So, go kill the fates to be safe," the buck deadpans.

"Oi, don' say tha' – I've seen 'em. They'd kick us aroun'," Tasha replies. She leans over until she's leaning on both Layth and Eadwig, smiling, and gets comfortable. "Enjoy today, for t'marra we may die."

Eadwig growfs in agreement. Possibly.