14.Dec.20, 01:35 AM
Snow. He knew it was coming, it always came. He should have been used to it, Running for as long as he had been. But shards, he never did get used to running in the stuff. It really was a lovely sight, and the crisp, grey landscape always provided inspiration for some lovely sketches, but it was so bloody cold…His thick wherhide boots crunched against what was visible of the trace, the vibrant green faded and lost beneath the soft, thin blanket of white. He hoped there would be fresh klah ready at the next station…or, even better, some decent wine…he’d be taking a rest day before he started out again, he could afford a drink. Ordinarily, in the warmer months, he’d refrain, knowing he’d be back out on the trace within a few hours, but not during the winter. Rest was important to warm up and refresh and keep away the bone chill that could take down even the most seasoned Runners. A day of rest would be needed, and wine would do him well, warming him from the inside out.
Lost in thought, he only noticed Handsome’s excitement when he dove and swooped ahead of him, trilling a whistle of greeting and echoing the sound from a much larger creature before disappearing between. A shadow crossed overhead, speeding ahead of him as the dragon that cast it came into view. She was a lithe, elegant green, and she landed lightly along the trace ahead of him. Alekse skipped to a stop, smiling and waving at the strangers, wary of being stopped unexpectedly, but friendly nonetheless.
“It’s no bother at all.” He shook his head and caught his breath, puffing clouds of condensation in front of him. He smiled at the rider’s explanation, thinking back to Ryn’s tale of how she’d first med R’dal and Edath in a very similar way; simply being spotted on the trace by the curious pair. “I’ve got a message pouch with Benden as its destination, and am headed there to deliver it.” He nodded, directing his words to both the rider and his green.
He offered his hand for a firm shake if the rider would take it. “The name’s Alekse. Journeyman Runner. Based up near the Weyr, but hopefully headed south for a Run or two. The winter landscape here is beautiful, but a bit cold.” The chill air started to eat through the jerkin he had over his tunic, and he shook his arms and legs to try and hide the involuntary shiver that raced down his back, laughing ruefully at himself. “What I wouldn’t give to be able to have a mug of klah while out on these traces…Sadly it doesn’t travel well.”
Lost in thought, he only noticed Handsome’s excitement when he dove and swooped ahead of him, trilling a whistle of greeting and echoing the sound from a much larger creature before disappearing between. A shadow crossed overhead, speeding ahead of him as the dragon that cast it came into view. She was a lithe, elegant green, and she landed lightly along the trace ahead of him. Alekse skipped to a stop, smiling and waving at the strangers, wary of being stopped unexpectedly, but friendly nonetheless.
“It’s no bother at all.” He shook his head and caught his breath, puffing clouds of condensation in front of him. He smiled at the rider’s explanation, thinking back to Ryn’s tale of how she’d first med R’dal and Edath in a very similar way; simply being spotted on the trace by the curious pair. “I’ve got a message pouch with Benden as its destination, and am headed there to deliver it.” He nodded, directing his words to both the rider and his green.
He offered his hand for a firm shake if the rider would take it. “The name’s Alekse. Journeyman Runner. Based up near the Weyr, but hopefully headed south for a Run or two. The winter landscape here is beautiful, but a bit cold.” The chill air started to eat through the jerkin he had over his tunic, and he shook his arms and legs to try and hide the involuntary shiver that raced down his back, laughing ruefully at himself. “What I wouldn’t give to be able to have a mug of klah while out on these traces…Sadly it doesn’t travel well.”