The Grey Tower

Vance was enjoying his work in the Tower, the extra work he had taken on to prove that he had the dedication, and on top of that the extra work that Garren had given him to help him become who he was to become. He found himself looking up to Garren in ways he had not looked up to some other Gaidin and Gaidar, and Garren seemed to not mind spending time with him when he could be with his Ward. Vance had seen the love in the man's eyes when he spoke of Angel (as Garren referred to her as), and Vance felt a small pang of jealousy. He had never known love like that, and she wondered if he ever would. The death of his parents had ripped his heart into pieces, and he did not know if it would be able to love again. If he would be able to love again.

He was stood outside of the stables with Calamity before him, preening in the sun. The filly's dark brown coat gleamed now he had given it a good and long brush. He was in his uniform, his hadori in place as always, though he had a light sheen of sweat covering his face and arms, where he had rolled his sleeves up. He was smiling, which was a rare sight these days, as he patted Calamity's neck, chuckling at the way she moved her head to nudge him gently.

"No, no more carrots, you greedy little monkey." He moved to the front and scratched her nose and then behind her ear, which was something she seemed to like.

Riahana treasured those moments when she could get out for a morning ride on her mare, Lex. With the responsibilities of Gaidar Captain, she had less free time, but was determined to continue with her early morning exercise. As she approached the stables, she saw a Drin'far'ji doting on one of the fillies. She couldn't help the smile as she found herself approaching the pair, "They are adorable when they are so young, are they not?"

((OOC: Mind a bit of a chat with the Gaidar Captain? ))

Vance had a way of losing himself in the simple act of caring for Calamity, so he did not hear anyone coming closer until a female voice spoke out. He looked up, looking surprised, and then upon realising who was speaking to him, Vance snapped to attention, hand to fist, and giving a decent bow to the woman. "Good morning, Gaidar Captain, sorry I did not see you there." He looked around resting the brush on Calamity's back, though the filly was shaking her head at the lack of movement. She was quite a stubborn little minx at times.

Realising he had not answered the Captains question, he looked a little flustered. "Forgive me, Captain, yes. They are quite adorable, though this little madam can be quite the handful." He ruffled her mane in a way she liked, and looked back to the blue eyed woman. "Captain, this is Calamity, Calamity behave, this is Gaidar Captain Ferria. Now be nice." The clever little filly looked to the woman, her eyes taking her in, and then shook her head. Vance held back a chuckle.

Riahana offered a friendly smile, "No need for apologies, Drin'far'ji." She looked the filly over, noticing the chest, line of the neck, length of the back, and line of the rump. Her years growing up on her family's horse farm in Saldaea gave her a critical eye of all things equestrian. "Calamity, eh? From the sounds of it, she is aptly named," Ria replied and then held her hand out flat with a sliver of apple sitting on it. Lex likely wouldn't miss one piece of apple. "She is also a gorgeous little beast, and will make a fine mount when the time comes."

Her attention turned back to the Drin', "You are Drin'far'ji' Koltrin, yes? Is this little one yours to raise and train?"

Vance relaxed a little as she told him there was no offence taken, Vance was still learning how prickly some of the Warders could be at times. He watched, proudly, as the woman seemed to take in Calamity's form and lines, and could not hep the small smile that came to his face. He laughed and nodded his head as she spoke of the fillys name, and he patted the girls back playfully. "She has been indeed. It is like she is a disaster, just waiting to happen, and while she causes it she will flash those dark eyes at with and almost smile." He watched as Calamity gobbled up the apple slice, and Vance laughed at the snort she gave in thanks. "I hope so, Captain, she has the potential to be the best in the stables, if I do my duty by her correctly."

When she asked his name, he nodded his head to her. "Yes Captain, to both questions. Garren Gaidin gifted her to me, on the promise that I give her the care, attention and training a lady of her stature deserved." He was stroking Calamity's back now, the filly seeming to pren under the expectation.

Riahana raised her eyebrows and gave a tilt of her head, "Calamity is quite the gift! Consider yourself more than fortunate. This little filly is as good as the horses my family breeds back in Saldaea, and while I am not one for boasting, I can say with utter confidence that my family have some of the best horses around."

The Gaidar couldn't resist the temptation and reached up to scratch Calamity between her ears, "How much experience do you have with training horses and getting them used to taking a bit and saddle?"

Vance stood still, a moment of dread rushing through him as he feared that she, the Captain, would try and take Calamity from him for the Tower. Her words made him nod his head, and he offered the smallest touch of a smile to the Saldaean woman. "Believe me, Captain, I know the gift I have been trusted with." He only feared that he would let Garren down in her care.

He watched as she gave Calamity a scratch between the ears, and looked back to the shorter woman when she asked her question. "My father's farm was in the area outside Maradon. The next farm over was a horse ranch. After I had done with my chores I was allowed to run to the horse farm to help out there. I'm no expert, but I learned much there over the years." He knew it was nothing to owning your own family's horse farm.

The Gaidar offered Vance a warm smile, "Then you are not as green as little Calamity." She laughed softly as the filly started nodding her head, "For what it is worth, I would be happy to help out. . .offer assistance or guidance as you might find necessary in training Miss Calamity to be the best mount she can be. I've trained up my share of foals over the years." She was about to say something else when a horse in one of the pastures let out a fairly piercing whinny.

Ria looked towards the offending horse, and nodded in its direction, "That impatient bay over there is my Little Lex, though at sixteen hands, she's not so little. I got her when she was just about the same age as Calamity here, and trained her to be not just a good mount to get from point A to point B, but also a solid horse for mounted combat."

Vance found himself chuckling and patting Calamity's back as she claimed he was not as green, as she had thought, maybe. "Thank you, Captain." He said it softly. When she offered to help train Calamity, Vance's eyes came wide, and a grin appeared on his face. That true grin came less often now a days, and he did miss it, even in himself. Maybe he should look out Liolet again, she had been a strange Accepted when he was here before, and he remembered that she had made him smile. "Captain, I would be honoured if you would aid me."

He looked over to the bay who had let out quite an impatient noise, and he chuckled as the Captain began to explain who she was. Les was a strange name, but he was sure there would be a good reason behind it. "She looks a fine example of horse flesh, Captain, the finest maybe." He looked to Calamity and then over to Lex and smiled. "And maybe Calamity here could use an older mentor to learn from."

The Gaidar Captain's eyes lingered on her horse for a moment as she shook her head affectionately towards the beast, "And maybe Lex could use a younger friend. We should introduce them, and see how the first meeting goes. If they seem to get along, we can turn them out to pasture when we're not working with either of them."

Lex was still looking towards the trio, pacing impatiently and let go a lower whinny, as if to say 'Hurry up, woman! The sooner you get over here, the sooner I get my apple! Riahana chuckled once more, "Of course, it is entirely possible the two beasts could conspire against us and learn each other's bad habits."

She looked back to Vance with a wide smirk, "Lex is as fine a horse as I've owned, but she's got a playful side that leans towards mischievous. She always knows when I'm not paying attention. . .especially in the woods. I'm convinced she knows how to find low branches to catch me unaware at moments like those." Her horse snorted and shook her head, as if she understood the conversation. "Yes, I am talking about you, beast!" Ria called out.