The stale crunch of charred, crumbled earth under Arisia’s feet startled her. She shivered a bit; Shadowmoon valley rubbed her the wrong way. Nothing lived here– the unearthly beings that prowled around, the mutated creatures that prowled… nothing here resonated to her Hunter senses, senses that she’d come to depend on during her travels with her brother. At her knee, her wolf, Sardonyx whined a question, his eyes flashing as he took in scents.
“S’ok, Donni… we’re just waiting on Caylon… then we’ll be out of here.” The slender blood elf rested a hand between jet ears, and soothed him mentally, that touch easing her own nerves as well.
Sardonyx turned his head and made a low sound, tail moving slowly, welcoming coming from his thoughts as a Windrider landed and Arisia’s brother dismounted, resettling his robes before nodding his greeting. Rissa grinned, letting Donni bound forwards and dance around Caylon, the priest finally rolling his eyes and giving the ravager dog he’d carried from Shattrath city for that very purpose.
“He’s a mooch.” Caylon observed, wiping his hands clean and refolding his handkerchief before coming over to his sister. “And why am I here? You left early this morning from the inn with just a scrawl saying you were coming to Shadowmoon… quite a trip from Northrend.”
Rissa blushed. “I… I’m getting a mount; thought you might like to be here.”
Caylon mock sighed; he’d known that she would, but it was his duty to torment his sister. “I thought we were waiting until we would take the cold weather trainining in Dalaran in a few months.”
Arisia toed the earth looking at the pattern her boot was making in the ash. “I got tired of not being able to do the cooking jobs the goblin offers every morning. He gives out special recipes– things that I can make to help us when we take jobs… but so many of them need you to fly places that the trained paths don’t reach.”
Chuckling, Caylon patted his sister on the cheek, rubbing his thumb on her jaw. “Get the mount, kitten. If we need gold, I have extra.” His eyes lit softly with amusement.
Smile lighting her own peridot eyes, Arisia nodded and looked down at Sardonyx. “OK, Donni; stay here with Caylon.” She reinforced the command with her thoughts, the wolf curious, but agreeing. He always listened… until she needed him; at that point, he’d help her and nothing could stop that.
Hands going behind her back, Arisia walked over to the riding trainer. The orc was older, battle scarred, and his demeanor was gruff. As the blood elf arroached he hawked and spat to the side. “If you have the gold, I can train you not to make a fool of yourself on a mount. But you’ll need to talk to the cow yonder– Dama Wildmane’s her name if you want to get a mount of yer own, got it?”
Nodding once, Arisia held out the script for 800 gold, redeemable at the Crown cities, and Olrokk took it, examined it carefully, then handed it to the mage next to him. After running his fingers over the script, the mage nodded. “It’s clean.” Olrokk grunted in reply and looked Arisia up and down. “You know the basics, but I’ll teach you the things you need to know for a Wind Rider who is not trained for livery… and know this, elf, you fall, you die– mebbe your fancy pants priest there will bring you back, but falling is something you got to avoid. Come with me…”
The spent most of the day on a pair of moss colored Wind Riders, and Arisia was achy and tired by the time they were done. She also made a landing that got a gruding smile from the riding trainer who patted her on the back roughly, a could of dust coming off her armor with the blow. “There you go, Hunter — you know all I can teach you for now… come back when you want to learn how to control the fast ones, aye?”
Arisia smiled broadly, her smudged face lighting up once more. She did a half bounce and impulsively hugged the Orc who sputtered before giving an awkward hug back. “Go ON wit’ ya, elf– go talk to da Cow now!” He shoved her gently to the Taurean waiting on the far side of the paddock.
The hunter scanned the area, noting that her brother and Sardonyx had settled on a bench and were companionably sharing lunch. Waving once, she swallowed the shyness threatening her yet again and walked slowly to the Mount Seller.
The taurean bowed gracefully, smiling softly. Every time Arisia dealt with the Taurean she felt her spirits rise. So many of them were one with the planet, and this oneness was very relaxing to be around. “I see you had your trainining, Huntress… do you have the coin for one of my mounts?”
Nodding once, Arisia offered the script for the hundred gold. The Taurean folded the scroll and put it into her pouch and put an arm about Arisia’s shoulders. “Come… meet my wingkittens.” As the entered, the Wind Riders waiting looked up, expectantly. Some immediately lay back down, but one came over, barbed tail wagging slightly, ears perked forwards, wide golden eyes sparkling and full of interest. He was greyish, nearly a blue tint to his hide. A bit of a husky Wind Rider, he had a full chest and a thick mane of silvery blue fur and after sniffing delicately towards Arisia, he did a very feline stretch and then reached out with a paw playfully.
Hand shaking slightly, Arisia took a step away from Dama and crouched, holding her hands out to the Wind Rider, reaching out with her Hunter’s sense. It was a shock, not exactly like the way a pet felt after she connected with it, but the Wind Rider was part of her. He was happy, eager for them to fly together, and he felt pleased that Arisia had chosen him. Bouncing forward, the Wind Rider gave her a huge headbutt and mumbled softly, a gently purr rumbling from him. Arisia felt Sardonyx move up and both animals touched noses, greeting one another.
The Taurean chuckled. “I think you found your mount, then Huntress. When he hatched, he was named Twilight Rain; but I think if you talk to him, you can change the name if you wish.”
Arisia beamed at the Taurean, fingers scratching the velvety soft fur near the Wind Rider’s tulip ears. “He likes his name; it’s a bit long, but I think we can cut it to Rain most times.”
The Wind Rider made a ‘hruff’ sound and then roared happily. Dama proferred tack, showing Arisia how to saddle her new mount, and offered a shining whistle. “Normally, I tell new owners to use this to call their new friend, but with your gifts, Huntress, just call him and he will come.”
Rissa nodded, mounting. She used the magic to send Donni on to where she was headed in Shattrath, and then gently pulled on the reins. Rain purred louder and rose, hovering perfectly. She thought about Caylon, and before she could turn him, Rain spun and dove towards the Priest who backed up with wide eyes. Rissa giggled as Rain gave Caylon a headbutt as well, then licked him.
“GAH!” Giving Arisia a mock glare, Caylon reached out and itched the hovering Wind Rider under his chin. “Charming… I think I’ll wait…”
Giggling, Arisia urged Rain to slurp her brother once more, which he did happily. “Isn’t he adorable?”
Laughing, Caylon wiped his face and started towards the flight master. “Go, do your cooking thing– I’ll meet you in Northrend.”
In a moment, he was gone. Arisia followed, but the hired mount was swifter and soon left Rain far behind. She felt a pang, thinking how she’d only see her new friend rarely until they could afford the cold weather training and treatment but then shrugged. Rain would wait, and he’d be there when she needed him– like her other pets, he was part of her now, and a little bit of waiting would be fine.
