Collecting the Youngfolk [Wilderness RP]

[Carra]

Conor Palfrey Wilderness Survival - Thread One The letters sent out, instructions along with a list of things to bring along, Conor went over the horse he borrowed and saddled up for this adventure. He wanted to be a little sour over having taken on such new students, or that Ubriel had taken his joke for seriousness, but he was honestly excited. Him and Cody had spent a great deal of time lounging and sparing in the wilderness beyond that taking on a couple of Novices and Drin'far'ji could be exciting. He even arranged to have Cody drop in during the evening just to make sure that they didn't starve if the youngfolk couldn't find anything to eat. After all, fishing was fun but he wasn't about to stand in a river long enough to catch enough for six people. Young growing mouths, his own appetite still not yet slowed, ate a great deal. More with the fresh air.

Double checking the saddle bags, and the satchel with a little gift for those that he felt did well, Conor waited by the South Entrance that would lead out and away from Hama Valon. He was not interested in taking them through the city, the temptations that followed. Temptations for him alone to just take them out for some fun was high but he was growing up. Had grown up. Enough that maybe, just maybe, he wouldn't mind doing his former mentor proud by passing on what he had learned to others.

So there he stood, with his horse, and five others tied up along a railing waiting for their riders. Curious to see who was the first and who would be the last. It mattered, not that he would tell them why.

Out of Character Because there are 4-5 students we will do this over 2-3 threads. Post order doesn't matter, just post! If over the 2-3 threads you don't meet the 6 post/250 words per minimum then you won't get the benefit. My goal: Survive with all your limbs, and not to lose any of you. >.> Don't make those goals too easy to have happen.

And remember: If you are late to post, your character is late to arrive.

Students:

• - Muireen - Checked in!
  - Eirinn - Late and will have Latrine Duty
  - Kaci - Checked in!
  - Samuel - Checked in!
  - Shoar - Checked in!

[Shoar]

"6... 7... 8..." Shoar counted as he completed his morning training regime. Push-ups then a short run to finish off were all he had left. "11... 12... 13" He was due to leave shortly. Thought it was just before dawn, Shoar had been up for a while. Life on the farm had always had him awake and functional before dawn, as that's usually when a farm became the most active. "16... 17... 18..." His life so far had been reasonably uneventful. Full of training and hard work, just as he had known on the farm. Harder work then he had expected but so far he had risen to the challenge. So far. "23... 24... 25"

As Shoar sprang to his feet, he took off into a run around the Yards. Even in this early hour, there were people about. Some were sparring, others were exercising like Shoar. Still others were meditating or talking quietly, awaiting light to break over the horizon to begin the day in earnest. Today would prove to be an interesting day. "Wilderness Survival... I assume it means more then just surviving a trip." he mused to himself. Conor Palfrey Gaidin would be taking a select few Drin'far'ji with him to undertake the training needed to survive in the wilds. Shoar hoped it would prove to be highly useful. His camping had subsisted of occasionally spending the night outside with his Da to protect the livestock and his trip to Hama Valon.

He came to a jog just outside of the dormitory. "That was quicker then I thought... I must be eager." He grinned in spite of himself. He went up to his room, unlocking the door with the key. He had already packed what Conor had told him to and he quickly changed into his travelling clothes and picked up the pack full of the items needed. He had also been told to bring a quarterstaff and a dagger. Presumably for protection and gutting prey, respectively. Locking the door behind him, he twirled the key once then safely stowed them in his pack. He walked out of the front door and jogged to where he knew Conor was waiting for him.

Dawn was just breaking over the horizon as he came to the south entrance to the Yards, which lead straight out into the wilderness. He recognised the figure of his mentor standing next to a horse, five others horses hitched to a nearby post. Shoar slowed to a walk and put his fist over his chest. "Good morning, Conor Palfrey Gaidin. I'm here as instructed." He bowed his head slightly and smiled, waiting on his Mentor's response.

OOC: I took some liberties with the time of day and what we were meant to bring >_> PM me and I'll change it if needed.

Shoar Gaidin
Drin'far'ji

[Cheiron]

Samuel Falchin

Life as a recruit to the Lion Guard of Caemlyn had taught Sam to get up early; before the Captain came into the dorm clanging his sword pommel against his shield to wake the late risers. By the time Sam was nearing the end of his time with them, he was the one bashing his shield. The thought brought a smile to his mouth, as he tried to resist the urge to do just that as his strapped his shield to his pack. His roommate wasn't joining them on their journey, so if he wanted to sleep in until one of the Ji'Alantini decided to whack him over the head again, Sam was in no position to say otherwise.

He strapped his sword to his belt and hefted his pack onto his back. Letting out a soft grunt as the straps dug into his shoulders he made his way out of the dorms. Trying to make as little noise as possible, soft soled boots padding across polished stone. It took him a while to realise that he didn't need to be quiet as he wasn't the only one awake, though there were still people asleep. Exiting the main building, Sam crossed the yards to retrieve a bow and quiver of arrows. He had briefly trained with the bow during his time with the Lion Guard, even so he doubted he'd be much good with one. But, if he wanted to be of any help, at least trying to shoot an animal with an arrow was better than being no help whatsoever. He strung a bow, tested its weight before removing the string and signing it out with the Quarter Master of the Yards. Happy that he would at least be able to try to help hunt while they were away from the Tower, Sam made his way to the rendezvous point.

Finding Conor Palfrey Gaidin with the horses wasn't too hard. Sam bowed to Conor once he was close enough for it not to look ridiculous, stating, "Samuel Falchin, reporting, Sir."

Sam moved closer to the horses, without actually moving to claim one, and placed his pack on the ground, ready to pick it up once all of those leaving that morning had arrived.

[Carra]

Conor Palfrey "Excellent. Good to have you both on board. Pick a horse, take a look over them and get ready to saddle up. The others should be with us shortly."

[Steven]

Kaci Taravin Kaci awoke with a start. It was about the sixth or seventh time she'd done so during the night. Fits of dreams had taken her the past few nights. All of them ominous, and none of them making sense. A friend had told her to see an Aes Sedai about them, but Kaci was never the kind to cry to mother about a bad dream. She really needed to talk to Keiran. He could help. Kaci glanced out the window and guessed the hour. With a sigh, she rolled out of bed and began prepping for the adventure she would be embarking on with the new Gaidin, Conor. She had to admit, he was easy on the eyes, so she didn't think she would mind too terribly much being stuck with him in the wilderness for a few days.

In all honesty, Kaci had been looking forward to this trip for weeks. She was feeling wound up cooped up in the Tower as she had been. So close to Keiran, yet unable to find hide nor tail of him for months. Either he wasn't in the Tower, or he had gotten exceptionally good at Hide and Seek. Kaci grinned to herself, a flood of good memories washing away the night's terrors. A pack had already been made up, and a small modest breakfast of cheese and bread lay on the table by her door. She snatched them up and headed for the stables. Devouring her breakfast as she walked caught her a few awkward glances, but she paid none of them any mind.

As Kaci stepped outside, she took a moment to admire the array of hues in the sky as the sun broke the surface of the land beyond. It was a cloudless day so far, which meant no rain. Kaci hated riding in the rain. The strong smell of horses filled the air long before she made it to the stables. The Gaidin stood by his mount. Kaci had her own horse, but she didn't want to be an annoyance by requesting to have him saddled to replace one of the ones waiting for her. She nodded at Conor. It was too early in the morning for conversation. Quickly surveying the horses, she picked the one with the most muscular legs, a tall Bay with a fire in his eyes. Kaci began adjusting all of her knives before mounting, making sure each one was tucked away nicely in its sheath. She undid the scabbard from her belt, relocating it to a pair of leather straps on the girth, making it easier to draw the sword from horseback.

One of the other Drin caught her eye as he stood near his horse. He was tall, with light brown hair. Kaci swore he looked familiar, as if she had seen him elsewhere, and more than once at that. It was still too early though, she would ask him about it later.

[Stasia]

Muireen do Morny a'Lordeine Muireen was a little frightened.

She'd done alright from Murandy to Whitebridge and then to the Tower, but she'd had a road, a steady horse, and a fat sack of gold. The only thing gold would be good for out in the middle of nowhere would be for sucking on; she'd read somewhere that doing that encouraged saliva production. But wouldn't that just dehydrate you faster? But the moisture stays put, right? With a nervous twitch of her lips, she savagely tightened down on the cinch that strapped her saddle to her old gelding; he politely obliged, nickering beneath his breath.

She gave Pickles an affectionate pat. She'd named him that as a child, having always had a fondness for vinegary foods, and it had stuck. Muireen slung her saddlebags up, hung them with care, and mentally went over her list again. She'd gotten hard, dry, probably stale oat cakes from the kitchens, a waterbag, a knife, and a little tracking ter'angreal. She assumed that was in case she got separated from their instructor, but with as nervous as she was, she didn't think that she'd stray too far.

She also had a contraband honey-bun in her pocket, provided by quick fingers, but the plan was to eat that before anyone noticed that she had not brought enough to share. The Southern Gate was on the back-end of the courtyard. She had plenty of time to scarf it down before meeting with Connor Gaidin and the other students. Muireen looked over her shoulder, taking stock of the quiet stable, and knew that she'd better not waste any more of her time. One thing she had learned about life in the Warder Yards was that if you were late, there was hell to pay.

She still hadn't taken unarmed combat or learned to throw a punch. Once she'd done that, she'd leave - fast as she could. Homesick didn't even begin to describe the sensation. It'd been long enough now that her Father would be delighted to see her, no matter how ashamed she was or how stupid she'd been. "It won't be long now," she muttered, taking stiff leather reins in the palm of her hand, "It can't be much longer." She lead Pickles out of his stall, left the little gate ajar for a stablehand to deal with later, and started towards her first destination, eating as she went.

This was a bad idea. I shouldn't be here. Why did Connor Gaidin want me to come, anyway? Everyone knows I'm useless at this Warder stuff.

[Carra]

Conor Palfrey Hmm.. one is late. The sweet girl from the Yard, she had signed up as well and now the Novice will have to be escorted to their campsite. But that was why he had Cody. He will see that the novice is taken to the proper place.

"Alright, Like I told Samuel and Shoar, check your horse and saddle up. We have a long enough ride that it would be best if you did not fall off. " He added with a light wink. "You will be pairing up as we go, Samuel and Kaci, Shoar and Muireen. And none of that hooking up stuff. If either of you gentlemen bring back a knocked up trainee I will have your swords." His eyes grew dark, "And not the ones at your hip."

He waited longer for them to finish up and mount up. "Off we go. We will be later joined by another Novice, hopefully. Sit up and and lets ride out." Flicking the reigns of his horse, Conor led the crew slowly through the yards until the reached the gate that would let them out into the wilderness. Once they were out, Conor picked up the pace with his reigns flicking against his horses neck, and off they went.


Ooc: Feel free to chat amongst yourselves in your pairing. A new thread in "Westlands" will pop up with the next bit.

[Shoar]

Shoar nodded at his Mentor's words and turned to attend to the horse he had chosen. As he began work on the saddle, another man appeared. He introduced himself as Samuel. Shoar gave him a curt nod as he moved to his own horse, before turning his attention back to his own. He had picked a white mare who looked quite young and frisky. Shoar was not particularly worried - he had been around horses enough to have a basic understanding of their temperament. Though the horses I've mostly been around were suitable for pulling carriages and plowing fields, not for riding on he thought to himself. Making soothing noises, he ran a finger down the mares forehead, just as his Da had shown him to do with the horses at home. This seemed to quiet the mare long enough for Shoar to check everything with the saddle. When all looked to be in order, Shoar gently patted the animal and waited for the others to arrive.

Two more arrivals came before Conor announced that they would be leaving. Shoar's cheeks went a noticeable shade of pink at Conor's words. "I... I would never!" he thought to himself, clearing his throat as he turned to give everything one final check. Putting his foot in the stirrup, he hoisted himself up and over in one motion, nearly falling over as he failed to balance correctly on the other side. "NOT like the horses at home... Not at all." he muttered under his breath. As Conor lead them out, he flicked the rains once and the mare fell into line. Spirited or not, she was well trained and knew how to act, for which Shoar was grateful. As they rode, he identified the one he had been paired with, Muireen, and moved his horse closer to hers. "Greetings, I am Shoar Daeran. Pleasure to make your acquaintance." He smiled gently at her. "It looks like we'll be partnered for this trip."

Shoar Daeran
Drin'far'ji

[Carra]

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