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Nihilistic Mind · Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 4:14 am Post subject:

Julian looks at Rebecca, then Morgenstern. Morgenstern raises his head high and Rebecca can feel an exchange between the two, but they are not talking the way she does.

"I see," Julian says. "A neat trick, Rebecca... Do you apply your talent to other animals?" He almost smiles, something she can tell he is not accustomed to.
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Arden · Joined: 10 Apr 2008 Posts: 503 Location: Oklahoma

In contrast, Rebecca's smile was easy. "Pretty sure I'm limited ta horses, an' Man, since tha barn cats ignore me at ev'ry turn. Think I would go right mad if'n I could understand all of 'em. Some critters never shut up."

"Let me ask ya; if Morgenstern was agreeable, what're tha chances ya'd let me take him out for a ride one o' these days?"

Nihilistic Mind · Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 4:47 am Post subject:

His smile disappears much more naturally and he says, "I hope you don't imagine that I think little of your riding skills, but Morgenstern is unusual in many ways. I'm not keen on the idea of the King's own daughter suffering injuries because of my poor judgment in the matter. In fact I trust my judgment better than his and for that reason alone, I must answer no."
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Arden · Joined: 10 Apr 2008 Posts: 503 Location: Oklahoma

"I hear what yer sayin, and I can see yer concerns. But I can see fer myself he's unusual," she pointed out. Despite his assurances to the contrary, she couldn't help but feel mildly insulted. "An' I weren't contemplatin' a thundering race across tha plains -- such as they are here." She quirked a smile that was slightly sly. "An' I promise ya, my Dad has ta know I'd want a ride once I we met, an' I'm right stubborn when I set my mind ta somethin'."

There was a look in her eye that made it quite unclear whether she was still talking about riding Morgenstern.

Nihilistic Mind · Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 6:09 am Post subject:

Morgenstern steps forward up to the gate, staring at Rebecca. She sees Julian move his lips but no sound comes out, not even a whisper and Morgenstern takes a step back. Reverting his attention back to Rebecca, Julian's brow furrows, his eyes as narrow as she's seen them so far.

"It's possible Eric would consider letting you ride this monster if you insisted... But Morgenstern is trained to handle one rider only and that is not you." With that comment he unlocks the gate and steps into the stall with Morgenstern.
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Arden · Joined: 10 Apr 2008 Posts: 503 Location: Oklahoma

"Ain't no reason to get yer dander up," she replied mildly while moving back to her original position leaning against the post. "Didn' mean to imply I was plannin' on going' over yer head, or behind yer back, or anythin'. Far be it from me ta come between a man an' his horse. I might've been born in a barn, but I ain't stupid."

Rebecca pulled her hat back up and set the post between her shoulder blades so she could watch the man and his horse. "Ya can't honestly blame me, can ya? He's magnificent, an' reflects well on you that ya've got him as a companion. I'm right impressed."

She turned her head at the sound of hooves on marble floors of the Royal Stable and smiled. "Ah, there's my fella." The sunlight streaming in the windows glinted gloriously on the spun gold of the tall black's mane as he sauntered proudly down between the lines of stalls to where Rebecca was already unwrapping a stick of butterscotch.

Nihilistic Mind · Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 6:41 am Post subject:

"I don't mind you talking to him and admiring him all you want, and I'm pretty certain he wouldn't have let you ride him while I was away either, so I'm not worried about it." He walks over to the heavy gear that fits the horse and picks it up. Without straining he continues talking, "But just because you're not allowed to ride him doesn't mean you can't ride alongside him... Are you previously engaged today?" He glances at Demon.
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Arden · Joined: 10 Apr 2008 Posts: 503 Location: Oklahoma

Demon huffed at Rebecca, still upset about that sudden and unexplained before hand Trump trip last night. She tugged his ear affectionately and gave him his candy before answering Julian.

"Nope. As I recall, my instructions were ta 'have a look see and get ta know tha place'." She gave him a rueful smile. "It ain't nuthin' like home, I can already tell ya that. It's -- weird ta look out my winda and not see a mountain range, an' it's too dang quiet." It was also weird to wake up without Wyatt, but he didn't need to know that. She wasn't sure what she felt more keenly this morning; the differences between the Lone Pine and the castle, or the absence of Wyatt.

Seeing where this was going, Demon ambled over to a stall across from Morgenstern's while crunching up his candy. He opened the unlatched door with his chin and went inside. Rebecca glanced at her horse and then back at Julian with a look that could possibly be described as hopeful. "Is that an invite?"

Nihilistic Mind · Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 3:11 am Post subject:

"Yes," he says matter-of-factly. "You don't know Amber until you've been riding a horse through Arden." All the while he straps the ancient-looking saddle and snaps everything into place very quickly. He picks up his helmet, throws it up, catching the saddle horn. Morgenstern lifts his forward left leg to create a step for him to use. Considering the amount of armor the man is wearing, it is an impressive feat to see him climb on top of Morgenstern as easily as he just has. He quickly puts on his helmet and looks at Rebecca and Demon from up high.
Julian did this so quickly that Rebecca suspects he has trained both of Morgenstern and himself to get this routine through more times than she's ridden a horse.
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Arden · Joined: 10 Apr 2008 Posts: 503 Location: Oklahoma

Considering both of them are older then Rebecca and the core staff of the Lone Pine combined, that's hardly a surprise. Rebecca gives him an absolutely dazzling grin and goes to ready her own horse.

Wyatt and Zach had made Demon's tack themselves only a few years ago, the black leather was bossed in gold to match the saddle her mother had given her when Rebecca came home with Spirit Quest gift. Demon was just vain enough to be aware he looked good in it. Eric had fed the stallion's ego even more by giving him a black saddle blanket edged with gold knotwork horses.

Rebecca led him out of the stall before she swung up in the saddle herself. She gives Julian a wry smile and indicates her own jeans worn to almost white and the denim shirt in the same state. "I feel terrible under-dressed compared ta the rest of ya." Demon tossed his mane and snorted, making Rebecca laugh.

"He's right opinionated."

Nihilistic Mind · Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 5:33 pm Post subject:

Julian gives a small laugh and enough of a smile to show teeth. "Bah, we will try not to judge you for your appearance then."

He does the thing again, where his lips move but no words escape, and the gate opens for both of them. Morgenstern then springs out at remarkable speed. Even as tall as they reach, the royal stables' lowest beams are a few feet above where Julian could reach with his hand.
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Arden · Joined: 10 Apr 2008 Posts: 503 Location: Oklahoma

Demon pretended he was above everything - including being intimidated by Julian's giant horse. Actually, he refused to acknowledge that he may be in anyway genetically related to the monstrous thing. Demon was taller then average, but he was still shorter then Julian's massive stead. The fact that Julian could comfortably ride on a horse as broad of back as Morgenstern for gave her ideas she probably shouldn't think about this early in morning.

The black stepped smartly after the gray and fell into step beside him without looking like he had to move quickly to do it.

"So how is it I can know Amber by ridin' through Arden?" she asked curiously. Rebecca tried to take in the surroundings without looking like a tourist, no matter how different it all was from what she knew.

Nihilistic Mind · Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 3:47 pm Post subject:

"The Arden forest is an intrinsic part of Amber, but also the many realms and lands that surround it... I'm sure you've heard the saying 'All roads lead to Amber'. It should be 'All roads lead to Arden'. Though, your father is working on closing many ways to here, we still see most of the action here, in Arden."

He rides for a few moments, passing by a group of a dozen rangers carrying supplies and getting out of the way instinctively, recognizing Morgenstern's stride by ear, it seems.

Julian adds, "Many people believe Rebma is Amber's first Shadow, but Arden is much closer. Rebma is more of a by-product, really. Knowing Arden is knowing Amber's link into Shadow and the change is subtle, but eventually, you will feel it."

The forest, the man in armor and his horse are truly majestic. The light filters through the canopy of trees planted by giants, giving everything their own mystical aura. The trees are mostly great oaks in this area, but other trees appear as well. Julian leads her on through the fragrant forest onto what is a well-traveled and well-protected path. He also makes sure she and Demon can ride alongside him, rather than behind him. The path grades up then down and up again. It remains fairly straight, giving Demon and Morgenstern to increase their speed tremendously.
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Arden · Joined: 10 Apr 2008 Posts: 503 Location: Oklahoma

Rebecca had fallen silent when they entered the trees. There were places in Cimarron's High Country that felt almost sacred, places where one felt as if they were in the presence of a great universal force. The natives took care of these sacred spaces, but no one was bared from them. Rebecca, and sometimes Wyatt, had spent many a night in them when they were driving herds. Arden reminded her of those places. But it was somehow more here. Perhaps it was the obvious great age of the trees that towered over her head, or the size of the lace. The place seemed endless.

She appreciated the Julian's gesture to keep them beside himself and not force them behind. Then again, she was very well aware that he may well have been doing it because he didn't trust her enough to turn his back on her. She almost snorted at the idea. She watched him out of the corner of her eye and from under her hat now and then; her father came from a good-looking bunch, that was certain. But it was more then that. More then the armor - impressive as it was - or how very obviously he was mater of his domain. No, it was his horse that was doing it for hr. Morgenstern and then fact that Julian commanded him.

Hellfire an' Damnation.

Her hand reflexively went to the wide silver cuff around her right wrist. The one Wyatt had given her. Wyatt.... who was not here....

Rebecca blew a breath out of her nose and shook herself. She blinked and focused on her surroundings again when Demon's speed picks up on the down slope. She eyed Morgenstern speculatively then looked up at Julian.

"How fast can he go?" A shiver of anticipation passed through Demon.