To Be Proud Of What You Are

[saetta]

Always questioning and never really satisfied with Aquilons answers. She needed to keep this spunky pegasus either enthrawled with her answers. Or to make him stop and think on what she was saying to him. Rylion then went right back to asking on how Aquilon learned and who taught her to fly. So she then spoke sarcasticly to the smaller pegasi.

" Oh my small little blue pegasu's fairy taught me everything I ever needed to learn how to fly."

She then let out a playful giggle over this and continued in a normal tone to Vy.

"No it was mostly through both my dam and my sire. When I was just a year old. I was sort of watching my dam hover and fly slowly in a circle. And while I was totally absorb into what she was doing. My sire came up behind me and pushed me off of the cliff edge I was on. So I learned the old way, either fly or go splat. I must of done it right because I am still alive."

Then he started to ask question after question, never allowing poor Aquilon, to get a word edge wise. But he done one thing that brought sadness back into Aquilon heart. And that was when he asked about the ocean. Then all Aquilon done was shake her dial yes and spoke to Rylion.

"Yes Vy I lived in the northern Helargar Mountains and so I could just take a short flight to the ocean. That is why I was living still with my family. Because room and cliff spots are at a premium. So when I finally took a mate that is when I would move on and find a spot to start my family. But again those days are long gone for me to ever be able to do again. But other than Sunthara I havn't been to any other place around here. No desert, no rainforest. Just the moutains and the ocean. The ocean is like a vast grassland Rylion. But instead of a vast strech of grass it is water."


She hoped that her answers would settle the smaller pegasi. But she wasn't holding out on this. He would be back with even more questions in the next few minutes.

[Shanza]

Several days had passed since he met Aquilon in Venka's pegasi herd. He had talked with Jyla when she came back, and it had gone farily well in Rylion's mind. It could have gone better, but at least she didn't dismiss him out of hand. Now they were back, and there were five other unicorns standing by. Venka had advertised his prizes well; apparently Aquilon wasn't his only intriguing collectors' item. Jyla was possibly interested in three other pegasi, one mare and two stallions. The mare and one of the stallions were of a mixed Shalo line, each with their various problems and strong points. From Rylion's information, she dismissed the mare for being too high strung. The stallion might just pass inspection, but Vy didn't like the ugly look in his eye. The last stallion was a Chokoli, and large, even for a stallion of that breed. He was heavy set and had a willing temperment, so Rylion was fairly certain that Jyla wanted him.

"Dredaynal," Jyla greeted one of the unicorns at the edge of the herd. It was a friendly, if formal greeting. Jyla didn't have many close friends, and even the ones who were willing to be friendly tended to stay away due to her habit of formalizing every encounter.

"Jyla, it's nice to see you. How are your parents? I hear their herd is doing nicely."

As they lapsed into a stifled and polite-to-the-extreme conversation, Rylion barely stopped a yawn. He sighed, wondering when he could talk to Aquilon again, if ever. If Jyla didn't get her, it was unlikely that he would ever be able to find someone else who could teach him how to fly. Rather depressed, he wandered off to graze while the bidding started on the first few pegasi. Venka was saving the best for last, so that meant Aquilon was at the end. It also meant that the Chokoli stallion that Jyla had her eye on was not. She got him without much fuss, and only one counter-bid. He smiled, almost no one knew what she would look for in a pegasi, due to his unknown influence. Also, the only unicorns who knew of his role in the bidding process were Jyla, Venka, and Jyla's parents.

Rylion wouldn't be supprised if Venka was amused by the whole ordeal, he had seen the half-hidden laughter more than a few times. Her parents disapproved, but none could say that the technique didn't work. Rylion saw most of the sourness, the stubbornness, and the trickery long before any unicorn did.

Back at the auction, the pegasi mare hadn't sold, although the other Shalo stallion did. Jyla put in two bids, but dropped out quickly when two of the other unicorns present got into a bidding war. The stallion had looks, Rylion would give him that. It was everything else that worried the young colt, and, apparently, that was enough to give Jyla pause.

Aquilon was coming up, and Rylion moved into a better position to listen to the bidding. He hoped with all his heart and soul that Jyla would be the one to get her.

[saetta]

Aquilon was sort of in a daze and was some what confused. What was happening around her, because it was more activity then she seen around here. Another unicorn looked her over and slapped her head with it's horn, until she hung it down submissively. It seemed that is what most of them wanted. Was a totally defeated and sulking figure of an equine. But she didn't like the next one that looked her over. He circled her a couple of times. And then shouted at her to spread her wings out. Seemed like most was only interested in her coloration and age. She just had dread on what would happen after she was sold. If most of the unicorns was anything like that pathetic worm Venka. But right now she needed to see what was happening. And it seemed like as soon as you was sold. You got behind your new master and followed them with out a word. She just held her head down to the ground, to shocked to even care. But then one unicorn came up to her and looked her over. And he then looked around he seemed to be looking for someone. And he then zeroed in on Vy and spoke to the Pegasus. And then he was right back at the blood bay. He then went back to her rump, Aquilon wanted to know just what he was looking for with her. She wanted to go over and ask Rylion what was going on. But thought better of it, unless she wanted to get hit for not doing what they wanted.




Tinrall was late and not by just a little bit either. The auction was more than half way over when he got there. The reason he was here was to look for any Jvynn or Brotherhood members. That was unlucky enough to be captured, or their time was up as an infiltrator. So Tinrall would buy them and then have them get their ability to fly again. And then they would quietly leave in the middle of the night back to Jvyn territory. When the strawberry roan Orjan unicorn got to the selling grounds. He then done the secret head bob. It involved two quick up and down shakes and then a swing to the left and to the right. To the untrained eye, it looked like Tinrall was just trying to scratch or get to an itch. But for any Jvyn in the area it was a godsend and said that help was here. Tinrall then scanned all the pegasi in the area. And they all just stood there doing nothing or making the counter sign. The counter sign was lowering the head and touching the ground. And then rubbing it on the left leg and then the right. But none of the pegasi was showing anything to Tinrall. But he then was drawn to the blood bay mare off to one corner. If there was ever a pagasus that screamed a wild this was it.


He went up to her and circled her and he didn't like what he seen. She had already been branded he just shook his head no. Why did they have to ruin her pelt with such an ugly mark. She could of brought more in her pure form. He then seen a pegasus off a ways. And from his wings he was either owned by someone or was a royal messenger. Because his was not cut but was intact. He went up to him and spoke sharply.

" Ok you pigeon pony I want to know something. This blood bay mare over here. When is she going to be sold."


He waited for his answer before Tinrall then returned to the mare and when he got to her rump again spoke more to himself than to Aquilon.

"Why do they always have to ruin the pelt by branding them. They could bring so much more if they keep a wild untouched. Ok mare what is your name. And if I get you, I want you to go somewhere when you get your ability to fly back."

That is when the mare said her name was Aquilon. And right now Tinrall was wanting to bring Aquilon into the Jvyn. But first he had to get her. And he was now wondering who else had their eye on this wild.

[Shanza]

"Ok you pigeon pony I want to know something. This blood bay mare over here. When is she going to be sold."

Rylion looked up from his grazing, the tall strawberry roan stallion beligerent in his demand. "Uh, you mean the wild?" The stallion snorted, nodding, and demanded he get on with in. Arigent old cuss, Rylion thought to himself with amusement. He quickly dropped into the proper grammar, and summed it up for the stallion. "Since hath brought she much interest, and shalt likely bring from she a fair price, true to I believe be sold near the end shall she. 'Tis a fair possibility sold she will be the last." He inclined his head to the large stallion, and waited for him to make his way back over to Aquilon. Rylion hoped that Jyla wanted her enough; she surely would be facing some stiff competition.

The bidding started on a small Zvon stallion, stockier even than most. A vicious, but brief, bidding war started and ended, nearly on the same breath, and then he was sold. Venka wasn't selling all of his herd, and he wasn't selling the best. He was selling those who would appeal to the unicorns in the area, which were mainly breeders and trainers. The Northern Scrubland was too sandy and too coarse to interest most unicorns to living there. The better trained, mannered, and behaved pegasi he was saving for when he reached the Central Territory. Early summer was when the annual auction started, and unicorns from every corner of the Territories came to bid on the pegasi there. He honestly didn't know why Venka was selling Aquilon this early; maybe Jyla talked him into it and offered a high enough price to sway him. That was likely the case. If she was interested enough in a Wild, which just about everyone was, she alone could bring a high enough price to temp him. Rylion knew she was very interested in new blood, and if she could infuse Wild blood in the new bloodline then it had potential to bring comers from miles around. Of course, a stallion would be of more use because he could have more foals every year, but bringing a mare would mean less new blood, and therefore more valuable.

And then Aquilon was up. Rylion looked up, hoping, once again, that Jyla would be the one to buy her. Venka introduced the Wild mare, mentioning both her qualities and faults to the onlookers. As the bidding began, Rylion clenched his teeth tight in hope.

[saetta]

Aquilon did not want to be here, or to have this happen to her. In fact she unfolded her wings before she realized that she couldn't fly. So she refolded them across her back and started to panic a little. But she was cut off when she tried to lunge forward. The blood bay mare wanted to be any where but here. She just shot a fear etched glance at Vy. She didn't like how all the unicorns was surrounding and choking her personal space off. But the first bid was made by the strawberry roan stag. There was just something off with this unicorn. But what it is, Aquilon could not put a wing feather on it. But he was certainly interested in Aquilon. Plus what did he mean when she got her ability to fly back. That made no sense to the pegasus, did he intend to think that she would be a messanger for him. Ha fat chance on that happening, because she would just take flight and head for the mountains. But she finally just settled down and lowered her dial to the ground. She just closed her eyes and waited for what ever may come on this. But at the end of this Aquilon's life would be forever changed.




Tinrall got his answer and not from the small pegasus pony. The reason he was interested in Aquilon was two fold. First she was an outsider and so didn't know about the Jyvn or the brotherhood. And second she would be a good new member for the Jyvn. But the more important question was who else was interested in Aquilon. But with him doing the first bid he would then get his answer. Tinrall was not to worried about most that was around here. He had his resources plus he could get in contact to the homeland and get more if he need it. But they only would agree if it was a brotherhood member. And since Aquilon was not Jyvn, Tinrall would have a lot of explaining to do on why they bought an unknown pegasus. So let the games begin, as the strawberry roan flicked his head to start the bidding. So now who was going to be the last one standing.

[Shanza]

Jyla snorted, unsuccesfully hiding her annoyance at the stallion who bid on the Wild mare. It wasn't so much the bid he made, which was not unreasonably high, but what ticked her off was how he said it. She despised those who thought they were better than everyone else, those that tried counting worth through either money, influence, or the ability to fight. Half hiding a smile, she knew she had all three, but not to the extent of some. She had inherited money from her late aunt, her talents with the pegasi had garnished her respect, and she could hold her own in a brawl.

She nodded at Venka, and he took her bid, asking for a higher amount. There was an immediate taker, followed shortly by a forth bid. The roan stallion bid again, and the fourth bidder dropped out. A black mare who bid after Jyla started a short but furious bidding war with the roan, and then Jyla jumped ahead of them with a bid that suprised them both. The black mare dropped out, and the roan eyed her.

Jyla knew she had the money to pass him up completely, unless he had a hidden stash, but she wasn't going to use it. If he wanted her enough to raise the price too high, she wouldn't follow. Rylion would sulk for quite a few days, however. The tall chestnut mare regretted that she had never found a flying instructor for the colt; he would be great at it, and she knew it. If he flew, and flew well, that would raise his worth and the worth of his foals. Pegasi that wouldn't leave even with their wings were few and far between. Venka asked for a higher bid, and Jyla stared back at the roan. She wondered if he would raise her bid, or drop out now. If he raised, she would likely stay in for one or two more bids.

[saetta]

Aquilon didn't like this not one bit, with all the attention now on her. She was really just a shy and reclusive type equine. And hence why she never really had any drive, to go out on her own. But now her life was just ripped apart and turned upside down. But then she did notice how the strawberry roan stag and Jyla was the only one's that wanted her. She still didn't want this but if she had a choice between the two unicorns. Aquilon still wanted to go with Jyla. Because she seen how happy and content little Rylion was with her. Then she just then noticed how the strawberry roan done one counter bid and then shook off any more for her. It now seemed she was going to be finally going with Jyla. Unless someone else was going to jump in now. But one thing Aquilon did know, was that Jyla had a lot of influence and pull in the kingdom. And so she was not worried about any bids from any of the rag tag locals. Now what Aquilon feared the most was probably going to happen. And that was to be bred by an unknown stallion. And then forced to carry a foal that she didn't want for almost a year. But she was just about ready to get down on her knees and bow to her new owner. But she figured she would wait until it was official that she now belong to Jyla.


Tinrall was not having a good day so far. But he also knew that most wilds found and caught in the outer reaches of the kingdom. Always brought the best breeders and owners around. Hence why Jyla was now here and throwing her weight around. And so he went one more time just so that she wouldn't get the blood bay mare for to little. And then shook off any other offers for bids. He just could not risk blowing his cover for such a questionable wild. He knew that when she got her ability of flight back. That she would head right back to her home and not the Jyvn homeland like Tinrall wanted her to. But he was now formulating his other plan for Aquilon. And that was he was going to offer to buy the first foal from Jyla. He was also curious on if she would be able to pass on her black raven wings to any offspring. But first he had to wait until it was all done and official that Jyla was the winner and new owner to the wild mare.

[Shanza]

Jyla smiled in satisfaction as her opponent backed out of the bidding. So she would get the mare for one Red and a Blue Curyant.* A steep price, but one that was better than anything anyone would get at the mid-summer fair. Now that the small auction was over, she walked down to Venka. "So you're down six pegasi and up quite a bit of Curyants. I imagine you will want to hit the Alpha herd here before moving on, but when you do, know that you're always welcome at my place."

Jyla knew that he would probably come by with his herd by early summer, just before the Mid-Summer's Fair. That way, without the stress of travel they could fatten up and get sleek and shiny. She had great facilities, magic-worked, that were excellent for holding all pegasi. Of course, it was right close to her parent's place, but they all had to put up with some annoyances.

She walked down to the pegasi herd, intent on getting a better look at the wild mare and her new Chokoli stallion. From what Venka had said, the mare eventually caved into the punishment, but likely would rebel if she got the chance. The stallion, however, was mannered and had a mid-quality bloodline, but what Jyla liked most was his willing attitude and his large size. He had been a working pegasi for a poor family, and was worked to the bone. He would watch the foals, act as a guard dog for the family at night, and guard the master of the family during outings. Apparently, the poor family fell on hard times, had their cache of Curyants stolen, and had to sell the bone-thin Chokoli. Ven ended up getting him for a pittance, and he ended up here. Once he got the weight back she would see what he was really like, but her first impressions weren't often wrong.

She glanced over at the wild, and then walked up to her. "Listen, you're mine soon as I get the Curyants to Venka, but something to get straight first. My word is law. You do what I say the moment I say it, with no fuss or quarrel, no matter how distasteful. If you do that, we'll get along fine. If you don't, well, that'll be your problem." She paused to shake her mane out, then continued, "Now, I'm letting you teach Rylion how to fly better, but don't think for a moment that I'm just going to let you run off. You teach him how to fly, under supervision. I'm not going to keep calling you 'Wild' your whole life, so what's your name, or what would you prefer?"



*I know we haven't formally agreed to this yet, but I decided to run with it. If something else is decided, I can come back and change it later.

[ϞSymreeϞ]

The auction seemed to be going as well as could be expected. Prices were fair, but tended to be steeper than at most auctions. Venka traded only the best, and the locals knew it well. Other traders were in the area, but none with the dun stallion's funds or expertise. He represented each pegasus shortly and without feeling. To him it was a game, he stated each slave's strengths and then their faults, allowing his potential buyers to decide for themselves which creatures were the best. Most of this crowd had learned what to look for in a slave, but there were a few that would try to read his expression and use that to decide upon their purchase. It never worked, and those slaves, he ended up buying back for half of the price that he sold them for. The game never ceased to amuse him.

There had always been one in the crowd that he had never been able to fool, and now had given up trying. She knew every time which of his herd were the cream of the crop, and usually took them for prices that were more than fair. Few could judge a pegasi as accurately as Jyla. Glancing out over the crowd, Venka caught sight of her now. Her color and height were somewhat average, a chestnut hardly stood out in the crowd, despite that, she was the only mare that could even begin to hold his attention. He admired her knowledge and strength, but more than that, her ability to get along with just about anyone...including him. It was more of a feat than he was willing to admit, for he had not expected to actually get along with a mare of what was considered good breeding.

Their first meeting had been rocky at best, Venka being his usual self, rather rude and snappy. He never would have given her a backward glance had she just ignored him, but Jyla wasn't one to take his crap. It was one of the many reasons that he respected her.

The auction ended with the blood bay wild mare, whose name, Venka had never bothered to learn. He had discovered that it was harder to do his job when a name was attached to the life that he was trying to break. As usual, Jyla had bought the two with most promise, this time being a thin chokoli stallion and the bay wild mare. He was rather glad to be rid of that one, she could have been trouble on the travel to the alpha herd.

After the bidding had wrapped up, Jyla made her way up to the dun stallion. He offered a kind smile at her approach, and dipped his head in respect to the chestnut mare. "Hail, Jyla, good wind and fair travel?"

She returned his actions mechanically, and said something about the weather never being fair. "So you're down six pegasi and up quite a bit of Curyants. I imagine you will want to hit the Alpha herd here before moving on, but when you do, know that you're always welcome at my place."

Business as always. He grinned again, nodding, "Yes, I imagine that I can get a very fine sum for that colt out of Regence's line, he would make a fine pick for a Duke or Duchess. At any rate, I thank you for your hospitality, and you can count on me taking advantage of it. There are few rest stops as fine as yours, Jyla." He gently brushed a stray strand of her forelock from her eyes with the tip of his horn and grinned again, clearing his throat. "You look beautiful, by the way."

With that, the dun stallion turned without missing a beat, to speak with one of his other purchasers. As he congratulated the stallion on his new slaves, his mind still wandered somewhere with Jyla, and the journey that she would soon be making with Rylion and her two new additions.

[saetta]

Aquilon was not happy that she was now going to be branded all over again. But that was how this was going to be with Aquilon and Jyla. But now the beatings should either stop or become less frequent. Unless Aquilon done something to upset the smaller unicorn. And unlike Venka, Aquilon wanted to keep on the good side of Jyla. But she was almost ready to bolt and run away. When the strawberry roan unicorn was now by Jyla and started to speak. And from what he was talking about Aquilon wanted nothing to do with. The bastard wanted to breed Aquilon and be the first one to buy the foal. She hated this and wanted to fly away from all of this nightmare. But she just turned around and looked out past all the other equines. Aquilon was trying to concentrate not on what was being spoken between the two unicorns. But she walked up to Vy and gave him a good and friendly grooming around his mane. At least she was going to be with a few others that she had previous contact with. But right now she found out the other unicorn stallion went by the name Tinrall. At least now Aquilon had a name to go with the face.


Tinrall seen just how effortlessly Jyla had out bid everyone here. Tinrall could of out bid her but again his orders was straight forward. And that was unless it was a fellow brotherhood member. That he was to not blow or expose himself to potential harm. But he also was not about ready to get up and abandon the blood bay mare either. Plus from what he had seen about Jayla. She seemed to be the unicorn that everything was to make more Curyants off of. And poor Aquilon was no exception to this rule of hers. So he waited until it was clear that Jyla was done with her two newest purchases. Then he stepped forward and done a slight bow before speaking to Jyla in a soft voice.

" Looks like one of us was going to be out in the cold on this. And it just happen to be me. HA HA HA HA. But anyway I got a buisness proposition if your interested Jyla. And that is I want to buy the first foal from your newest mare here. But that is if her black wings can be given to her offspring. If not then you can keep the foal and sell it otherwise. But you can use what ever stallion you want. Or I am sure Venka has a few just laying around here that we could use also.

Tinrall just had a smirk on his face and he was happy. This was working in the strawberry roans stags favor. He would still have contact with Aquilon. And then just maybe later he could still help the pegasus. But he was more interested in Jyla's answer to this offer of even more Curyants. She was just about to get a good return on her investment.

[Shanza]

Jyla looked over the blood bay pegasi, noting how she reacted, but also how there was a tenseness to her words and how she held herself. So it was Aquilon then. An odd name, but not too unusual. She was well built, as wilds usually were, and had a rarer characteristic of her flight feathers singed in black. The strawberry roan stallion who was her main competitor came up, and had an easy smile that suggested confidence in himself. He didn't have a distasteful manner, in fact he was fairly pleasant with his dealings.

Listening to his offer, she knew something didn't sound right, but couldn't place it with any certainty. If he was so interested in a foal of the wild's, Aquilon, she corrected herself, then why didn't he specify a stallion? Of course, breeding to a specific stallion with a mare he didn't own would be quite expensive. He would have to cover the cost from the actual breeding to a guarantee that he would take the foal. On the other hand, he might trust her judgment enough to pick a good stallion. It was likely the latter, and likely nothing to worry about.

She smiled politely at him, but it was a cold smile, and didn't reach her eyes. For all his supposed manners, he didn't seem to realize that she was the one who had bought the wild, and it was she who would decide to sell the foals. "When she has a foal, you will be notified about it for a pre-paid fee of two DiCuyr, plus the mail fee. The notification will include the foal's sex, date of birth, health, and birth color. They will be sent out two days after birth. If you want to be sent additional notices, they cost the same price as the first, sent at one month, three months, and five months. As they age, we include build, personality, trainability, and likely adult color. All foals remain with their dams for three months, and are sold at around six months at the Weanling Auction in the fall. If you wish to buy the foal, it will be there." She smiled once again, and once again, it didn't reach her eyes. "Now if you will excuse me, we have a long journey to make."

[ϞSymreeϞ]

Two weeks had passed since Jyla had left with the wild and her thin chokoli stallion. Venka had kept himself busy, tending to his remaining slaves, making sure that they were all fit for travel. One of his favorite slaves, a young Drangthir filly nearing her third year, helped a great deal with the work. She was one of the few that he trusted to look over her fellow slaves for any problems or annoyances. She was quite the little diplomat, only telling him of the more serious problems and merely contenting the others with news that they would not forever be his. This seemed to magically cure most of the ailments. The filly would make a fine slave, and an exceptional brood mare. She was quite the looker, and strong for her age. He could have asked the moon for her at auction and had someone want her, but he planned instead to gift her to Jyla for her hospitality. The mare was very fond of Drangthirs, and Araceli was of half wild blood. Perhaps Jyla would mate the filly with Rylion when both were grown. The foals from that pair would make a fine price at auction.

The traveling was slow with so many slaves to look after, but Ven made sure that they moved as quickly as possible, and despite the large size, they made pretty good time. Ven knew that they were getting lean with the hard travel, and that the shine was fast fading from their coats, but he pressed on, knowing that when they reached Jyla's, his herd would grow sleek and shiny again, just in time for mid-summer's fair.

When the herd was a half hour's trek from Jyla's place, he sent Araceli ahead to give word of their approach to Jyla, or more likely, to Rylion who would give word to his mistress. The filly was quite fleet of foot, but Ven still had not let her feathers grow out long enough for her to fly. Really, it was up to Jyla whether or not Araceli would be able to keep her flight feathers this cycle. The dun unicorn would have clipped them back one more turn, just to be sure of the filly's loyalties. He knew how most learned to fly, but he was very impatient with the whole process. Jyla was more patient, and had more experience in such matters. The filly would be happy with her.

Ven would never have admitted it, but Araceli meant a great deal to him. He had bought her as a nameless weanling, a beautiful palomino filly that cried silently at night over the loss of her mother. Normally Ven would have been annoyed by the whole situation, but instead, he had settled down beside her, crooning to her softly and watching the stars. She seemed inconsolable until Venka told her what her name would be, and what it meant. Araceli, altar of the sky. She had never cried after that night, and would smile secretively at the dun stallion. She alone of his slaves knew that there was more to him than harsh words and beatings if you were bad.

The pale golden filly returned swiftly, with a long, floating stride across the sand. "The lady Jyla hath prepared for our arrival, Master." God she was adorable. Venka knew that he would miss her.

They arrived at Jyla's shortly after, and Ven stopped his herd just outside, watching as Rylion went to inform his mistress of their arrival.

[Shanza]

Frustrated and upset, Rylion landed softly in the clearing. No matter how hard he tried to get this flying stuff right, he always seemed to do something wrong. The red pegasi just watched him for a minute, likely sensing his disappointment. Well, she had warned him that it wouldn't be easy, that there would be difficulties in learning the tricks of the sky. No that he didn't believe her, but at the time thought she was exaggerating. A lot of folks did that to him, treating him like a foal who didn't know what the sky was. One of the hardest parts about learning was that Aqulion couldn't be up in the air with him, correcting problems as they happened. He wasn't skilled enough yet where he could fly safely through the various trees, focus on improvement, and hear her advice at the same time. The trees weren't packed, they were actually rather spread out, but there were just enough of them to make learning to fly a living nightmare. They had finally found a method that worked half-decently. Aqulion would tell him a simple pattern to fly in, and a few things to focus on when he flew the pattern. He would take off and fly it, then land and come back for a review. Then she would give him pointers, suggestions, and other useful intel, and they would do the whole thing over again.

They had been doing this for two weeks now; two whole weeks! It seemed a lifetime had passed for the colt, but he still didn't know much more useful information than a few easy tricks. They were great when he was learning them, but now he wanted to go bigger, fly higher, and do better. There were only two problems with that. Aqulion couldn't leave the ground, and she was refusing to teach him anything other than 'good form' at the moment.

Rylion sighed, then walked over to his Wild instructor. "So how'd I do that time?" His tone was heavy, and suggested that he expected to be disappointed. He felt as if nothing was changing with every flight, and in fact at time thought he was getting worse. Aqulion kept saying since he was flying more, he was getting tired sooner, and that was what made him drag through the air. She also kept saying that he was getting better, but he rather doubted she said it for any other reason than to keep his morale up.

The bay pegasi was just starting her analysis when a whistle came from the fields below them. They both looked around to see the Chokoli that Jyla had bought at that same auction waving a wing at them. He was making the motion for 'master,' so Rylion figured that Jyla wanted them right away.

"Do you mind telling me on the trot? I think Jyla wants us." For the first time in his life, he felt glad to be leaving flying. Only a split second later, his stomach dropped and the small red dun felt guiltily nauseous. How could he want to leave this? It was everything he ever wanted, but the lessons were grating on him as it seemed he wasn't making any progress. Everyone said he was doing better, but wasn't it him who should feel the difference in his flying first? Before anyone else noticed? Wasn't that the norm, the usual? Why was he always the one singled out, hand picked, and different? Why couldn't he just be normal?



occ: Sae, if you want to do the intro of Venka's herd into the holding area, go ahead. Here's the facts on it below (i figured to make it so everyone was on the same page, so we don't have opposing views)

Sae & Sym, I'm thinking that Jyla's holding place is like a magick-made box canyon. It's rather large, and can support 20 year round, and up to 50 for a month. It has extremely steep sides that go up about 40 to 50 feet, and one narrow, winding trail for an exit. The surrounding ground rises only slightly, and the holding area is set below the lay of the earth. The trail opens into a small 'chute' that they use to herd reluctant pegasi into the holding area.

[saetta]

Most of Aquilons bumps and injuries was now starting to heal good. And so she finally started to settle down, and start her new life of teacher, and somewhat new playmate to Rylion. It didn't bother Aquilon to much. Except for the fact she was being kept against her will though. And that was the biggest problem for the blood bay mare so far. She always liked to go and do what she wanted to do without even thinking about it. And she did get into trouble when Jyla thought she was trying to go and escape without telling her where Aquilon was heading. And the Shalo payed with a beating from the other new Chokoli slave. And so from that day forward Aquilon had to tell or ask if she could move or to go somewhere. But now her concentration was on what Vy was doing now. And from what she could see so far, was that he was having problems with cross winds and trees that popped up and into his path.


So she just decided that all she needed to do was be here and ready to help or to explain what needed to be done. It was really hard because it would be so much quicker if she could also fly. But Jyla was no dummy and so she made sure Aquilons wings was clipped every two weeks. That way she just knew that Aquilon would not be able to try anything. Since she would be grounded and not be able to run very far or for any length of time. But her thoughts was now brought back when Rylion asked how he did this time around. So Aquilon blinked a few times looking slightly taken off guard. But she quickly gathered herself and spoke in a light and soft voice.

" You'll get it Vy believe me on this. Like I was always told when I was a filly. And that is practice makes perfect when it comes to this stuff. I already told you that this is not going to be easy or be done and over with in just a few days."

She would of continued but that is when both of them was interrupted by the new Chokoli slave and his attempt at getting the two other pegasi attention. And so Rylion and Aquilon both knew that they should go and see what Jyla wanted or risk receiving her wrath. And they both decided to follow the Chokoli to where ever he wanted them to go. But Aquilon also was trying to keep her distance from most stallions. Because she still remember what Tinrall told Jyla and why and what he wanted the blood bay mare for. And Aquilon decided that if she was not around then she didn't need to worry about such things. That is when the three of them finally showed up. The first thing that Aquilon noticed was the influx of all the other pegasis. But she then locked onto the dun unicorn stag that was leading them. And it was the no good Venka, the very one that had captured and then beaten Aquilon into submission. And so in a low but hostile tone she spoke so only Rylion could hear.

" What is that bastard doing here! I thought that when Jyla bought me, I would be done and never had to see him again."

But she then seen how the new pegasis slaves was now herded into a hollow. And so they had three walls around them and only one way out. So it looked like Ven was making himself right at home. And so Aquilon looked at Vy and then down at Jyla. She then figured that they should all go down and be by the side of their mistress. That way she didn't need to go and look for them if Jyla needed them for anything.

[ϞSymreeϞ]

The pale golden filly waited at the edge of Jyla's land for her master to arrive with the herd. She stood solid and proud, her head lifted s she gazed off into the distance. Her air was wistful as she watched the skies, and the distant figures that navigated through them. What would it be like to feel that freedom? To soar without restraint through the air, many of her kind would consider such as their birthright. To Araceli, it was a privilege that only her master could give. The palomino filly shook herself, refusing to despair. One day she would be one of the trusted ones, able to fly wherever Venka wished her, delivering messages by wing and disappearing into the distance. She would not be grounded forever.

The dun stallion whistled her over to his side, instructing her to direct her fellow slaves into the area that Jyla had provided. Araceli led the way in, and Venka sealed the entrance behind the last in his herd of twenty after calling Thay back out. The golden filly trailed obediently behind him. Ven stopped a few paces away from Jyla, dipping his head rather formally in greeting. The palomino filly glanced to the mare's sides, where the blood bay wild and Vy waited for a command. Araceli felt curiously uncomfortable and out of place behind her master. Something about the dun stallion's stance threw her off for reasons that she couldn't quite name. Mirroring her master, she sunk into a low bow before the chestnut mare. If Ven felt that it was appropriate to bow his head, then a slave should be down to her knees, honoring the object of her master's affections. At the dun stallion's signal, she rose, watching Jyla expectantly.