The rider shifted with restless exhaustion in his harness
as the steebaugh steadily plodded through the shallow water that covered the
valley for miles in all directions. The steebaugh’s thick-scaled leathery hide
was impervious to the acid rain that splashed with puffs of steam everywhere it
touched. Its broad legs and feet didn’t suffer being submerged for the long
trek from the Imperial Center to the Oracle’s Temple.
The rider’s harness stretched up
behind him, with poles in front to support a thick, cured steebaugh hide to
protect him from the worst of the rain. Even so, a plop and sizzle preceded the
burn on the back of his neck under his heavy cloak. He flinched and growled,
“Worthless commissariat!” Clenching his fists, he resisted the urge to rub the
spot, which would only spread the damage. The drop slid down his back, etching
a stinging trail.
Even with this proof of the
imperfect system, he reflected the steebaughs were infinitely superior to the
mechanical transports that began deteriorating as soon as they were put into
service. Able to move without stopping for days on end, the steebaugh could
easily carry a rider and a load of supplies, including the rider’s package for
the Oracle herself.
The King’s Consort had called him
to her own quarters and handed him the small box. Even without knowing the
contents, he had known at that moment he might not return from this journey.
Jazared had always been kind to him, even when he had returned from the Temple
to remain in Crown’s service. But she had ruled side by side with the King for
many years, and she would not hesitate to do whatever she believed must be done
for the Crown.
After the many days and nights of
constant riding, he could barely dismount by the time he reached the Oracle’s
Temple courtyard, built up to drain the endless rain down long tubes that
sluiced the water into the valley below. The temple servants discreetly gave
him time to stretch his back and shake out the pins and needles in his legs.
When he motioned, one moved quickly to take the steebaugh’s reigns. He pulled
out the package he carried for the Oracle and followed another initiate into
the Temple Another led him to the Temple narthex, where he was stripped and
bathed in hot fennel water to cleanse his body and soul after the long journey.
Dogs in house
|
Houdini
|
Music
|
Allegro Classical
2011 Winter Sampler
|
Time writing:
|
~1 hour
|
September word
count:
|
15,524
|
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