On The Road - Emprise du Lion and Western Approach

[the_effect_she_has]

WHO: Christine Delacroix, Merrick Ashara, Samouel Gareth, Korrin Ataash, Kain Highwind, Katniss Everdeen, Cremisius Aclassi, Rachette Dakal, Salvatore, Dismas, Clint Barton, and Fenris
WHAT: Movin' right along, to our separate missions ...
WHEN: First week of Haring
WHERE: The Frostbacks - riding, camping, general hijinks
NOTES: Warnings for sarcasm and probable showing off.

The journey through the Frostbacks is, of course, a grueling one, but only if you are traveling alone. The Inquisition scouting forces are, without a doubt, not alone. Not by any stretch of the imagination.

So clearly, new stories and new friendships or hatreds are just waiting to be written...

Comments

[aceso]

"Thank you," Christine replies, the relief evident from the way her tense shoulders relax under her traveling clothes. For the first time since she was a young girl in Velun, she isn't wearing some form of mage's robes and it feels so freeing. Of course she still has her staff, but that will have to be hidden when they reach Emprise du Lion. And then no one will know what she is. "I am not the best rider. I should have thought to learn here, but there were other tasks to attend to and now it will have to be put off until our return."

[gatheringstorm]

Korrin shrugs, not about to chastise her for something that can be easily corrected. "Not necessarily. I can give some tips when we have free moments here and there. There was no choice about me learning; when you live as a traveling mercenary, your own two feet will only get you so far. As long as it's not that 'bog unicorn' they found in the mire, I'll ride it."

[aceso]

Her nose wrinkles at the thought of that creature. It looks... slimy and like its back will crack in half at any moment. Pushing that thought aside, she looks towards the other animals gathered in the stables so far.

"That must require learning how to ride all over again, doesn't it? A horse is different to a hart, after all."

[gatheringstorm]

"I prefer those huge nugs, myself, but don't worry, I'm using a standard horse. And yeah, it's mostly different. Some things carry over, but treat mounts the exact same way and you're liable to get bucked off. Some are more gentle than others, though, and they'll give you more leeway, but that's a matter of individual mounts more than breeds."

She eyes the nearby harts and shakes her head. "I tried those before, but not again if I can help it. The noise they make is too damned annoying."

[aceso]

Christine honestly can't picture herself on a giant nug. It just wouldn't look right. Call it vanity, but there's nothing dignified about galloping in on a creature like that. And so thank the
Maker they'll be on a horse.

"I will take your word for it. Are we ready to depart?"

[gatheringstorm]

"As ready as we'll ever be, I think. Let's hit the road, then." After checking once more to be certain that the riding bags are secure and shut, Korrin hefts herself upon the horse, then leaning over to offer a hand up to Christine. She's eager to get going again after resting up in Skyhold, so there are no complaints from her.

[aceso]

Even watching Korrin closely to see how she mounts the horse doesn't help Christine. The qunari is a full head taller and her legs go on forever. But Christine takes her hand, borrows a stirrup, and tries to pull herself behind. It doesn't look graceful. In fact, it's rather embarrassing. At least she's wearing traveling clothes with pants instead of mage robes. She wouldn't even be able to ride astride that way.

Letting out a huff of annoyance at herself, Christine finally settles in behind, her foot giving Korrin back her stirrup.

"It looks so much easier when everyone else does it."

[gatheringstorm]

Korrin chuckles softly in sympathy at that, nudging the horse to move on out along with the rest. "I know, but you'll get used to it. If nothing else, all this time on the road will help you adapt to just about anything. And it's not like you'll be alone while that happens. I'm happy to help, if I can."

[aceso]

"I thank you for that." Growing up in a Circle, Christine never could have imagined she'd be riding on a horse with a qunari mage, but life is funny that way. Right now, Christine is willing to turn to Korrin for any advice the woman's willing to give.

"As I'm sure you can imagine, being raised in a Circle doesn't prepare you for much outside of it." Of course the enchanters had the chance to leave occasionally for council meetings, and anyone who excelled at the Game could have nobles eating out of their hand, but Christine hadn't been an enchanter and she detested the Game. Her options were far more limited, and thus the Circle was more a prison than a place of learning or safety.

[gatheringstorm]

Christine's experience is far more in line with the typical story given to Korrin, who would see it much the same way. She nods, a small frown on her lips upon hearing that. "I've heard that much, and that they deliberately tried to keep you ignorant, so you'd have to rely on them. There's so much wrong in that I don't know where to begin. Life outside isn't without risks, but it's cruel to deny it all the same, and the tools needed to survive. At least now you'll be getting a crash-course, and I bet you'll come out the stronger for it."

It'll be difficult, especially given the amount needed to catch up, but then nothing worthwhile is easy.

[aceso]

Christine is quiet for a moment, thinking over Korrin's words. While she has a point, Christine can't help but add something to that.

"There are different kinds of strength. Here in the outside world, I am out of my element, but back on the inside, we had to be strong for many reasons: so we didn't become Tranquil, so we didn't become possessed, and more. My resolve can play a role in this crash course I am on now."

[gatheringstorm]

Thinking that over, Korrin flashes an approving smile. She knows there must be a lot to Circle life that she doesn't understand, and for a long time, didn't care to...but the more she hangs out around Circle mages, at least the reasonable ones, the more she can see their own strengths.

"Well said. If you have a strong will, it can see you through, it can see you through just about anything. Now, are you comfortable? We're not going to break for a while and if you're not quite there, trust me that you'll be feeling it before long. I'd rather give you the chance to adjust first."