From: shaun@csc.liv.ac.uk (Shaun Hovers)
Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn
Subject: [G] Kordane, expert equestrian?
Date: 5 Oct 92 00:33:59 GMT
Organization: Computer Science, Liverpool University


  [ADMIN: Written by Sean Reith (Kordane) with added dialogue by Wanderer]


Collapsing into his chair at the table, and staring into his ale,
Kordane addresses noone in particular.
"Ride at dawn, does he have any idea how hard it is to buy a horse at
 this time of night?  The merchant wasn't exactly thrilled to be woken
 up in the middle of the night, as he put it, demanding an overtime levy.
 And it's not as if the thing was cheap in the first place, I've got better
 things to do with my hard earned money than to spend it on some quest
 for some stupid piece of jewelry, AND I was assaulted on the way here,
 just to finish off a wonderful night.
 Which leads me to the next point, I can't ride, so I would be most
 grateful if someone could teach me the basics before we set off into
 the sunrise.  Gentlemen?"

The one who had introduced himself as the Wanderer, replies,
"As it seems we are to be companions in conscription, I will lend you my
 knowledge, as much as can be conveyed in the short time we have."

Kordane smiled his thanks, "I am in your debt."

Wanderer: "Well, let's see this newly 'acquired' beast of yours." ( the wry 
 smile seen before appears on his lips. )

The two men walked outside, and around to the stable, it took Kordane a
second to work out which was the one was his, but he eventually
recognised it being brushed down by the stable boy.  Walking over to it,
he patted it's neck,
Kordane: "I'm no expert, but she looks pretty good to me."
Stable boy: "It's a he."
Wanderer: "But he is a damn fine piece of horseflesh."
S: "He's your's sir?" (looking at Wanderer) "A guardsman brought her
    round, just said it was one of the patrons.  Strange, he was brought
    in with a loose saddle on top of a sleeping blanket."
K: "No he's mine, I just bought him this morning, the merchant must
    have been asleep.  Unfortunately I was attacked on my way here,
    which is why the guardsmen brought him around for me, the saddle
    got torn off in the scuffle."
W: "That merchant must have really been asleep if that saddle got ripped
    off so easily, see here, the straps aren't even torn.  And that's a
    good place to start your lessons" (turning to the stable boy)  "boy,
    do you have any spare riding blankets around?"
S: "Yessir, I'll be right back." (he rushes off and returns with a
    riding blanket)
W: "Ok, well, first thing you have to be able to do is gear your horse..."

In the following half an hour, the Wanderer explains how to bridle and
saddle the horse, how to mount, dismount, and the very basics of riding.

Wanderer: "Not too bad, you would have been better off 'buying' a more
           docile horse, but I think you'll survive, as long as we
           keep to a reasonably sedate pace. Ride alongside or before me and 
           I shall watch out for any problems."
Kordane: "I appreciate your time.  It's almost dawn, we better go back
          inside, I'd rather avoid the elders nudging, if at all
          possible."
W: "Nudging! A fine word for it Kordane. My hope is for a chance to nudge 
    back! But yes, let's return and finish our drinks before our glorious
    appointed leader returns."

The horse was led back into the stables, and the two men re-entered the
inn, just before Glysten entered, and entered into a verbose description
of the plans for the day ("We ride").  The party collected their respective
gear, settled tabs, and left for the stables.  The departure was silent,
almost military, but Kordane was happy to leave as soon as possible, before
the guard had an oppurtunity to hear from a certain merchant.

With the Wanderer's help, Kordane managed to gear his horse (the stable
boy was just a little too efficient), and mounted.  Kordane felt relief
wash over him when they cleared the gates, though it was rather short
lived, as he realised what was ahead.  Kordane was starting to feel
tired and sore after half a days ride (he had been up since early last
evening), when Glysten fell from his saddle, and the group were
surrounded by lizardmen.

Kordane pulled HARD on the reins, in an effort to halt the horse before
it plowed into those in front of him, not that the horse had an
intention of doing so.  Instead it reared up in response to Kordane's
'command', which caused Kordane to fall forward onto the horse in an
effort to stay on, an effort made even more difficult by his steed
wheeling around on two legs.  Kordane dug his knees into the beast to
try and stablise himself as it came back to earth, at which command the
horse charged at the lizardman in front on it, rearing up and landing on
it, trampling it to death as the steed continued it's charge.  Kordane
started shouting at the horse in a hysterical voice, as it continued away
from the battle, "%^*$, %*&@*, YOU STUPID %#*! *&%@# WHAT THE $%*#! WAS
THAT FOR, %$%@!# $#@$^* ..." (you get the idea), Kordane was also kicking
the horse in frustration (mixed with liberal doses of fear), with the end
result of the horse started bolting away, this fact finally managing to
seep through to Kordane, "STOP, HALT, WHOA YOU MOTHER...", Kordane stopped
kicking the horse, and pulled (softly!) on the reins, and it came to a
halt.  Kordane sat hyperventlating on the horse for a minute and
regained some of his senses back, and realised that he had stopped the
horse bolting away from the battle, "what am I, nuts?".  He turned and
looked back towards the melee, which was in it's final stages, with the
lizardmen massacred.  He also realised the horse had probably saved his
life, "Thanks, but you ever pull a stunt like that again, and you're
dinner.".  Kordane dismounted, and led the horse back towards the site
of the fray, stroking it's neck.
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