Live a good, honorable life.
Then when you get older and think back,
you’ll enjoy it a second time.
Then when you get older and think back,
you’ll enjoy it a second time.
Accepting the teasing look with a good-natured smile, Zavien does his best to hide the slight flush of his cheeks when he finally mounts the horse. He nods in acceptance of the name, patting nervously on the side of the horse's neck. "Hi Chip. I'm Zavien and this is Sol." The little dragon gives a small chirp of greeting that doesn't seem to bother Chip too much.
Regardless, as they begin their long trek, Sol sticks mostly to the skies, giving input on obstacles or directions like the diligent little soldier he is. He occasionally flies down to snag at the pieces of jerky Zavien offers - between the terrifying moments he has to push the horse into a trot. The first time he has to catch up, he barely taps at the bay's flanks with his boots, earning him a flick of ears and the tiniest increase in speed. Holding his breath, the Dragoon tries again with more force, and Chip takes off. He's not fast enough to do much damage, but it startles Zavien enough to have him instinctually pulling at the reins and bringing them to a sudden stop, his heart racing against his ribs. It takes a few more tries before he's able to get the horse to a moderate pace, bringing him close enough to catch conversation again.
With multiple rounds of practice, by the time they reach the cattle, Zavien has gotten the hang of the basics, only having nearly fallen out of his saddle about four times. It's with undisguised relief that Zavien sees the grazers, certain he was about to lose his mind with so little to do. Even though his butt aches after hours without rest, he's perking at Colt's instructions, a light entering his eyes. "Understood." Then he directs Chip gently towards the edge of the fence-line, doing his best to direct the cattle away from the sides. Sol drifts down to join in, offering small chirps of direction to the creatures.
Zavien almost falls off a few times but manages to position him and Chip between the cattle and the fence.
Sol does his best to help with small chirps.
Regardless, as they begin their long trek, Sol sticks mostly to the skies, giving input on obstacles or directions like the diligent little soldier he is. He occasionally flies down to snag at the pieces of jerky Zavien offers - between the terrifying moments he has to push the horse into a trot. The first time he has to catch up, he barely taps at the bay's flanks with his boots, earning him a flick of ears and the tiniest increase in speed. Holding his breath, the Dragoon tries again with more force, and Chip takes off. He's not fast enough to do much damage, but it startles Zavien enough to have him instinctually pulling at the reins and bringing them to a sudden stop, his heart racing against his ribs. It takes a few more tries before he's able to get the horse to a moderate pace, bringing him close enough to catch conversation again.
With multiple rounds of practice, by the time they reach the cattle, Zavien has gotten the hang of the basics, only having nearly fallen out of his saddle about four times. It's with undisguised relief that Zavien sees the grazers, certain he was about to lose his mind with so little to do. Even though his butt aches after hours without rest, he's perking at Colt's instructions, a light entering his eyes. "Understood." Then he directs Chip gently towards the edge of the fence-line, doing his best to direct the cattle away from the sides. Sol drifts down to join in, offering small chirps of direction to the creatures.
Zavien almost falls off a few times but manages to position him and Chip between the cattle and the fence.
Sol does his best to help with small chirps.
Zavien
