(Archive) Rohan -- Steeplechase
A tale freshly told of the Rohirrim
Proof that winners and losers cannot be easily predicted
Southern Fields near Edoras
Standing on short cut grass just north of the road, you find yourself surrounded by tents and wooden huts. Stands and pavillions have turned the once lonely fields into a camp of merchants. Along the Great West Road there is a busy traffic of wains and riders. Guards watch all this, to ensure that safety and order are kept up. A few hundred yards to the north long fences have been set up, ready to keep a huge number of livestock.
To the south you can see the White Mountains rising. To the north lie more plains and the river Snowbourn.
The sun warms you from above and looking closely, you spot a few horses wandering in the distance.
Obvious exits:
North leads to Northern Fields near Edoras.
South leads to Great West Road (near Edoras).
[Edoras ZMO(#19328)->Bardawulf]
Obstacles (1-9)
[Obstacles(#21554)->Brihtwine]
This obstacle is a brush wall not more than twenty strides from the start line however, it is relatively low, and the ground beyond it is clear.
The second obstacle is a pile of logs some in the bottom of a slight hollow, such that the ground before it dips down gently and the ground beyond rather steeply. However, the terrain is relatively smooth and free of rocks or other debris.
This is the first water obstacle, and it is but a pool, no more than a handspan deep, and some distance more than two-fold the height of a man across. At the far end, the ground is quite muddy.
A steep uphill approach leads to the fourth obstacle, a leap that would be relatively mild were it upon level ground. Instead of being merely a jump, however, the obstacle is actually a level-topped mound about 5 strides long. At the far end, a short jump takes horse and rider back to the ground.
The fifth obstacle is anoth water obstacle, but in this case it consists of a six-foot leap into a pool of water waist-high to a man. The pool is about ten strides across, growing shallower at its far end, until a short step up to level ground.
A brief respite after the previous jump, or so it seems. A simple stone wall... but it is no more than four feet wide, and carries no standards on either end.
A second wall follows the first, standing slightly higher than the previous one.
A series of three jumps, of middling height, constructed of logs and each one stride apart. Water glimmers darkly benetah the logs of each.
The final obstacle, and what an obstacle it is! A flawless wall of marble, shimmering and white, stretched across a the back of a pool of water contained by sky-blue tiles.
Real time is: Sun May 04 12:09:34 2008 - Rohan weather is: Cloudy
Elendor time is: Dawn <06> on Highday of December 10, 3043
The Moon is: last quarter
[Coenred(#30388)] It is a cool morning on this Highday in December but the fairgrounds outside Edoras are already crowded with people. Outside the trading area, a racecourse with obstacles has been set and riders from far and wide have come to proof their skills. A great tribune has been erected where Theoden King and his household may sit and watch the event and near the course one can see heralds who march up and down, obviously feeling very important today.
[Theoden(#15851)]
Theoden and his household do indeed arrive, dressed warmly against the cold, and he speaks softly to one of the heralds as they pass by. He then goes to his seat and settles into it, then drapes a fur-lined mantle about himself. Right at the start and finish is he, and he rubs his hands in anticipation at the coming event.
[Iaurer(#20610)]
The Gondorian Iaurer stands near the start of the event, his hands doing a check of his equipment - saddle, reins and bridle. He wears no spurs on his boots, but he seems ready to ride. A brown and white mare does he call his own a slim and fast animal, not well-suited for combat - any Eorling would be able to judge so.
The King catches his eye, and in reply to his presence, his head bows solemnly, before he turns back to his horse and starts leading it towards the starting point of the race.
The novice healer Bardawulf moves amongst the gathered throng, a sturdy staff in his hand and satchel slung over his shoulder. This day, however, he has company - a slender hooded figure walks by his side, arm linked through his, and murmurs something in his ear. The man nods, and scans for a clear viewpoint. There, in mid-field ...
As the crowd waits for the event to begin, he leans forward to gain a better view of the riders.
[Hraefengar(#15851)]
To the field comes Hraefengar, with a teenaged lad beside him, a grey wolfhound at his side. She wears a collar, for once, and a braided lead, which the lad holds. The scop is leading a dun-gold stallion, raven-maned, who prances lightly, half-rearing and then settling again. Hraefengar checks over the saddle and the girth, then nods. He pats the lad on the shoulder, stoops a moment to speak to the dog. Then he parts from them, and leads his horse towards the start as well.
Coenred is as well among the riders at the start. Sitting atop Coifi, he skims the other competitors, the race track and at last his gaze wanders towards the spectators to catch familiar faces. As the scop arrives, Coenred waves a brief greeting. \"And I thought you would ride on the hound today, the beast seems tall enough for that purpose,\" he jests.
Lagging behind the other contestants, a young, cheery-faced man leads his horse hastily forward. His tunic is creased, his helm is slightly askew - but his horse at least looks well cared for. The dun stallion tugs at the bridle, urging his rider forward, and snorts softly as though eager to be off.
From one of the spectators comes a burst of laughter. \"Look! It\'s that idiot Brihtwine. Told you he\'d be fool enough to take that wager. Wager you ten coppers he fails the first jump?\" The young rider\'s face turns beet-red and his head ducks. He does not meet his fellow contestants\' eyes.
[Iaurer(#20610)]
He smiles softly at the jest, before Iaurer twists his body to look who it was spoken to. \"Westu hal, Hraefengar.\" He speaks with a grin, before he mounts his horse. Iaurer then nods to his fellow contestants - probably as a sign of good luck, before he proceeds to put gauntlets onto his hands.
[Hraefengar(#15851)]
\"Do well, lad, and silence the lot of them. Laughter is hard, but it can be endured,\" murmurs Hraefengar to the lad. Then he looks over at Coenred. \"I thought it would shame you less to lose to me riding a horse, rather than a dog,\" answers the scop. \"And far be it from me to destroy all your pride. Westu... hal... Iaurer,\" he adds, mounting his horse, a little awkwardly, using only his right hand. He settles himself comfortably in the saddle, then whispers something to Dealfyr, who tosses his head.
[Coenred(#30388)] A merry chuckle is Coenred\'s answer. He pats Coifi\'s neck and adjusts the reins for one last time before the start. Off the start field, the Fair Herald walks up to the king\'s tribune and looks at Theoden, questioning. It seems that the race may soon begin, for the Herald lifts a great horn but does not blow it yet.
The youth, still flushed of face, looks up awkwardly at Hraefengar. \"That\'s very kind of you, sir,\" he mumbles. \"But-\" And then, swallowing he squares his shoulders. \"I\'ll do my best.\" He gives his fellow contestants a strained smile before heaving himself up onto the young stallion\'s back.
Amongst the observers Bardawulf, leaning forward, gives a start. By his side a woman\'s voice rises, impatient, \"What is it? Have they started?\" And in response to her companion\'s shake of the head, \"That\'s just as well. You\'re blocking the view.\" With a sigh the man takes a step back, motioning her forward and murmuring, \"There, see. Coenred, the Aethelwigend. I do not know the Stoninglander. But that one,\" he points toward Hraefengar, \"I did not expect to see. I do hope naught goes amiss.\"
[Iaurer(#20610)]
Iaurer nods to himself as he notes the race is about to start. He takes the reins in both hands, and prepares for the call. He looks sideways at his opponents, before fixing his gaze on the first jump.
[Hraefengar(#15851)]
Theoden turns his head towards the herald, and he smiles. \"Let it begin!\" he calls, then settles himself to watch, his eyes fixing on the riders. A cup of something steaming and hot is placed into his hand, and he drinks of it absently, his attention already captured by the riders.
Hraefengar grins back at the aethelwigend, then takes a steady grip on the reins. He nods encouragingly at the lad, then smiles at Iaurer. Then he leans forwards a little, surveying the course, and waiting for the signal to start.
[Coenred(#30388)] The herald bows a little to the king and returns to the edge to the racing course. There he signals something to a drummer and soon the rumbling sound of a drum calls for silence. Afterwards, the herald cries out: \"Let the rules of this race be know to each and every one! Upon the signal of my horn, the riders may approach the first jump. He whose horse touches the obstacle too hard so that it stumbles or refuses to jump, he must retry that very jump. The others may ride on. The first rider to clear all nine jumps will be declared the winner of this race. Riders of Rohan, riders of Gondor - pay attention to the track, feel the power of your steed and may Wyrd be with you!\" With that he lifts the horn to his mouth and blows a long signal. The race has begun!
[Iaurer(#20610)]
Immediate upon the releasing of the horn\'s call, Iaurer presses his heels into the horse\'s flanks, making it strike forwards - slow to start as always. \"Make me proud.\" He murmurs to the horse, his voice lost in the outbreak of the clapping of hooves. And he steers his horse towards the brush obstacle before him.
The young dun stallion fidgets, and Brihtwine tries his best to hold him back, with hand and knee and voice. \"Calm down, Siglaf! It\'s not our turn yet.\" Preoccupied as he is, he does not seem to notice the sudden silence, nor to fully take in the herald\'s words. His head ducks again as he murmurs something (a silent prayer to Wyrd? Or just a curse for the fellow who put him up to this?). When at last the horn sounds, he jerks and almost loses his seat. Not a promising start.
[Hraefengar(#15851)]
\"Run, greatheart,\" speaks Hraefengar, leaning a little and urging his horse forwards at the sound of the horn the dun-gold stallion neighs and surges forwards towards the brush. Hraefengar holds the reins only in one hand his left arm dangles at his side. \"I will not fail you.\" Dealfyr\'s hooves pound the ground in steady rhythm.
[Coenred(#30388)] Upon the signal, Coenred releases the reins of his mount and calls the words he has used so many times before whenever speed was needed for this pair of horse and rider. Coifi starts into a sudden gallop, causing the turf to spray from the hooves. There, the brush wall is closely ahead, soon they must reach the jump.
The young dun stallion does not share Brihtwine\'s apprehension. He wants to run, and run he does, as though the brush fence were no more than a twig to be stepped over. Perhaps catching something of his steed\'s mood, Brihtwine straightens in the saddle, not burden but rider. His eyes narrow a little as the fence nears.
[Cross Country Race(#31279)] Neighing and hoofbeats fill the air as the horses make their way over a jump.
[Cross Country Race(#31279)->Brihtwine] ==============================================================================
Steeplechase: Field 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rank Rider Last Jump
1. Hraefengar Cleared
2. Coenred Barely cleared
3. Iaurer Light touch
4. Brihtwine Hard touch
==============================================================================
[Hraefengar(#15851)]
Dealfyr gathers himself and sails over the brush jump, landing lightly so that Hraefengar has little difficulty in keeping his seat. He takes a quick glance behind him, then nods, making sure he has a clear path. The stallion loses little speed, and his legs flash in steady rhythm towards the second jump. It is only as they near the downward incline that Hraefengar slows him somewhat, that he not tangle himself going too fast.
[Iaurer(#20610)]
Iaurer arrives at the right time for his horse - as it has just reached it\'s full speed - yet he is no where near the first contestant at the moment, being sixth or perhaps seventh. The Gondorian rider jerks forwards slightly as his horse\'s legs scraped the brush, and then landing onto the ground. The horse loses some of it\'s speed, but regains it just as quickly as it speeds towards the second obstacle - on the way he gains two more positions closer to the first, but perhaps this is lost in the next jump. He, too, slows his horse somewhat to avoid tripping.
Coenred rides past a man from the Harrowdale and lo! There is the brush line. Coifi starts into the air, jumps and lands safely on the other side. Only the hind legs literally brush through the obstacle, a fact that is well noticed by Coenred and the old Aethelwigend mumbles his support to the horse. And on they go, to the second jump, Hraefengar and Iaurer before them.
[Hraefengar(#15851)]
Theoden in his seat turns to the hurscarl next to him, and speaks softly. Coins are flashed, and gifts debated. Betting on the riders is almost as fierce a sport as the race itself.
As Brihtwine and the stallion Siglaf reach the fence, the young rider tightens his knees, urging his mount up and over. A heartbeat too soon ...
Siglaf\'s rear hooves strike the brush, and hard - an entire section of fence comes crashing down, and the rest quivers. The stallion struggles for balance, but then manages to kick himself free. Blood trickles from one hindleg where a thorn has grazed it.
Brihtwine, amazingly, keeps his seat, but his sweating face is now splotched red and white. \"Oh, Siglaf!\" he murmurs, his voice full of reproach. \"I\'m so, so sorry. If only I\'d made you wait ...\" He urges the stallion to walk a few paces, twisting round to check the horse\'s movement, then grits his teeth. \"We\'ve got to do it again.\" Slowly horse and rider make their way to the start of the field and then forward, increasing their speed as they prepare to retake the jump.
[Cross Country Race(#31279)] Neighing and hoofbeats fill the air as the horses make their way over a jump.
[Cross Country Race(#31279)->Brihtwine] ==============================================================================
Steeplechase: Field 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rank Rider Last Jump
1. Brihtwine Cleared
2. Hraefengar Cleared
3. Iaurer Barely cleared
4. Coenred Hard touch
==============================================================================
[Hraefengar(#15851)]
It has been some time since either Hraefengar or Dealfyr have done this sort of thing, and they slow perhaps more than they need to, letting the field crowd in a little. Yet Dealfyr gathers himself well, and jumps cleanly, landing with little difficulty on the other side. Hraefengar sways slightly, then settles his seat, and they race towards the third jump, a pool. The stallion\'s ears prick he loves pools.
[Iaurer(#20610)]
At the right moment, Iaurer directs his horse to jump over the log wall, and he shouldn\'t have done it any time later the horse\'s legs fly over the logs, it\'s hooves inches above the wood, before coming back into contact with the ground. This time Iaurer smiles, and his eyes flit to the rest of the field to see who is in front of him, and then proceeds to urge Faelewyn - the mare - towards the first pool of the race.
Coenred and Coifi are less lucky. As the stallion reaches the obstacle, he jumps accordingly, but too short. The forehooves touch the slope across the logs, but a deft knock makes the pile crumble and crash at the site where the two of them crossed it. \"What\'s wrong with you, old lad?\" Coenred seems surprised about the performance of his mount. The stallion is slowed down and turned around in a loop to retake the jump.
Too soon? This time as he approaches the brush fence young Brihtwine holds his mount back, and Siglaf himself seems more wary. Then, muscles bunching beneath him, the stallion surges upward ...
This time horse and rider land well clear of the jump. Someone amidst the spectators begins a sardonic slow clapping, but Brihtwine doesn\'t appear to notice. His round face is radiant. \"We did it! You\'re so clever, Siglaf! That was well done Now for the next one ...\" As the pair approach the logs his face fills with trepidation.
And no wonder. Logs are rolling in several places, and the crowd lets out a few disappointed oohs and ahhs as personal favorites fail. One section of the jump remains untouched, and swallowing hard, Brihtwine directs his mount toward it, his features bleak. If even an Aethelwigend has trouble ...
Near where Bardawulf stands, a grizzled-looking fellow remarks, \"That Stoninglander,\" his gaze singles out Iaurer amidst the field, \"rides well. Anyone care to put some money on it?\" Bardawulf, his features thoughtful, hesitates then reaches a hand toward his belt. A voice at his ear hisses, \"Bardawulf! I will /not/ see you waste good coppers on idle speculation.\" With a faint sigh, the novice healer\'s hand drops mildly back to his side. For some reason he does not move to retake his companion\'s arm.
[Cross Country Race(#31279)] Neighing and hoofbeats fill the air as the horses make their way over a jump.
[Cross Country Race(#31279)->Brihtwine] ==============================================================================
Steeplechase: Field 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rank Rider Last Jump
1. Brihtwine Easily cleared
2. Hraefengar Cleared
3. Coenred Cleared
4. Iaurer Cleared
==============================================================================
[Hraefengar(#15851)]
Surprisingly, Hraefengar\'s stallion behaves himself and does not play in the water the nearness of the other horses has roused his competitive spirit. Hraefengar murmurs words of encouragement, leaning forwards a little, guiding the dun-gold stallion with a light hand. With the cold and recent snows the steep slope is difficult, and strong hooves thrust hard to propel the stallion upward, fighting to break clear of the field. He gathers himself at Hraefengar\'s word to leap upwards onto the mound.
[Iaurer(#20610)]
The Stoninglander, as he is referred to here, once again clears this obstacle, shooting over the mud pool and not losing any speed of his horse. And as Faelewyn runs towards the fourth obstacle, she draws level with Hraefengar\'s position for only a moment as they arrive at the steep hill. Iaurer falls behind the Eorling, and he follows closely as the scop\'s horse jumps.
[Coenred(#30388)] This time, Coifi masters the jump across the log wall without a problem. Gracefully, the horse flies across the obstacle and his hooves continue to pound the ground, speeding towards the muddy pool. The field of riders has considerably been drawn out in the meantime. It seems the king\'s heralds have devised a number of especially tricky jumps for this event.
As Siglaf lands clear of the second jump without causing so much as a single log to rattle, Brihtwine\'s amiable features register complete surprise. He lets out an explosive breath of relief, then a sudden whoop. \"We did it!\" Last he may be, but he\'s still in the race. The slow clapper has stopped.
Still smiling, the young man directs his stallion toward the little pool, giving a murmur and a tug at the reins when it seems the stallion will loop round it to follow those horses leaping onto the mound. \"This one first. Careful, now, it\'ll be slippy ...\"
[Cross Country Race(#31279)] Neighing and hoofbeats fill the air as the horses make their way over a jump.
[Cross Country Race(#31279)->Brihtwine] ==============================================================================
Steeplechase: Field 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rank Rider Last Jump
1. Brihtwine Cleared
2. Iaurer Barely cleared
3. Hraefengar Light touch
4. Coenred Light touch
==============================================================================
OOC: Iaurer had to disconnect, race continued in his absence
[Hraefengar(#15851)]
Hraefnegar grunts a little as Dealfyr leaps onto the mound, then races across it, tossing his head as he tries to pull ahead of the others. Jumping down, the scop guides him forwards, letting him stretch out as the ground levels. Then he looks up ahead to the next jump and shakes his head the pool has been skimmed of ice, but some still edges it, and more is beginning to form. Still, he settles himself and guides the stallion as Dealfyr gamely gathers himself to jump.
[Coenred(#30388)] Mud sprays as Coifi\'s hind hooves touch the ground at the very last end of the puddle and on they rush towards the steep mound before them. Coenred pats the stallion\'s neck. \"Now, up we go,\" he encourages the beast as the next obstacle comes in sight.
\"Ugh!\" mumbles Brihtwine blinks as his face is splattered with mud kicked up by the previous horse. The young man and his mount clear the water completely, though the stallion slides a little as his hooves touch mud. Cautiously, almost daintily, the stallion picks his way back to firm ground then builds up speed for the leap to the mound.
[Cross Country Race(#31279)] Neighing and hoofbeats fill the air as the horses make their way over a jump.
[Cross Country Race(#31279)->Brihtwine] ==============================================================================
Steeplechase: Field 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rank Rider Last Jump
1. Brihtwine Cleared
2. Hraefengar Cleared
3. Coenred Cleared
4. Iaurer Barely cleared
==============================================================================
[Hraefengar(#15851)]
Hreafengar nods to himself as they manage to clear the jump, for that water looks terribly cold. Few riders remain ahead of him, but halfway to the next jump, he checks his stallion\'s speed and lets the others keep their place. For the stone wall is not wide, and letting even two jump it at once would be pushing things. Then they are at the wall, and the stallion gathers himself to jump.
Bardawulf watches the race now with an expression of detached interest, though beside him two men are loudly arguing the relative merits of \"that Stoninglander\'s\" and \"that crazy Scop\'s\" steeds.
[Coenred(#30388)] The slope is mastered without difficulties and soon Coenred\'s mount jumps off the artificial hill to head forwards to the next challenge. Coenred seems to be content, leaning forward over the steed\'s neck.
Siglaf\'s hooves send turf flying as he lands atop the mound without mishap, and he pounds eagerly forward. As the stallion leaps down, Brihtwine\'s head lifts and he surveys the other riders ahead of him. There rides the most tardy of the Stoninglanders, there goes that fellow from Mering, there ... \"Come on, Siglaf!\" he urges suddenly, guiding the stallion\'s head round a little. \"Catch the Aethelwigend!\"
[Cross Country Race(#31279)] Neighing and hoofbeats fill the air as the horses make their way over a jump.
[Cross Country Race(#31279)->Brihtwine] ==============================================================================
Steeplechase: Field 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rank Rider Last Jump
1. Coenred Cleared
2. Brihtwine Cleared
3. Iaurer Light touch
4. Hraefengar Fall
==============================================================================
[Hraefengar(#15851)]
Hraefengar guides his horse surely, trying to keep both himself and the other riders safe. But the rider behind him is not so considerate, and rushes his horse forwards, jumping into Dealfyr. Both horses tangle, and the stallion crashes into the wall. Hraefengar is thrown forwards, hits the wall and goes over it, then rolls off to the side.
From somewhere amidst the spectators standing at mid-course, a curse rises. The fellow who\'d put money on Hraefengar is scowling. \"A pity,\" murmurs the woman who had accompanied Bardawulf. \"Do you think-\" She turns, and stops mid-sentence, for her words meet naught but empty air. The novice healer is already gone, limping toward the place where Hraefengar has fallen with speed if not grace.
Coenred sees nothing of this, for he rides his horse into the next obstacle. Coifi flies wide across the pool and lands gracefully without stirring the water. But as they approach the wall, there sees to be some ado and trouble ahead. Riders flock before the stone wall, the course seems to be blocked!
Siglaf obediently quickens his pace, and this no doubt is what helps him clear the second water jump. \"We\'re doing well, we\'re doing well,\" chants Brihtwine as though the mere words might lend his mount strength. Grinning, he peers ahead, then blinks. \"What?\" The eager young rider manages to rein in his equally eager mount just in time to avert collision with the pair in front of them.
[Hraefengar(#15851)]
The dun-gold stallion kicks his legs, then rises, though his legs are bleeding and he limps, and there is a cut across his chest. Eoscealcs lead him away slowly, angling away from the other riders. The offending rider has not fallen, and circles about to jump again, either heedless or uncaring of the consequences. The scop remains where he is, groaning a little but not moving from where he has rolled.
[Hraefengar(#15851)]
Watching from the finish, Theoden can see some of what has happened, though not everything. A runner comes to tell him more, and his eyes narrow. He calls one of the heralds over and speaks sharply to him, though the wind carries most words away.
[Coenred(#30388)] Eventually, Coenred has arrived at the stone wall. Seeing the scop thrown to the ground makes him rein in his horse and next to Hraefengar he stops to ask him: \"Are you hurt, scop? Do you need help? Your horse can walk, worry not about him. What of you though?\"
Far away, a herald runs away from the tribune to consult his fellows and so he learns that a certain Arnulf of Forensvale will be disqualified for offensive riding. The time has not yet come for wrestling on horseback.
Bardawulf, walking, cannot reach the fallen rider as quickly as the mounted Coenred, but he doubles his pace. \"Don\'t move him yet,\" he calls out, softly yet pitched to carry over the whinnies of confused and impatient horses. As Dealfyr is led past, he frowns. \"So it wasn\'t just a fit,\" he murmurs, frown becoming a scowl.
[Hraefengar(#15851)]
Hraefengar\'s eyes flutter, and he stares up dazedly at Coenred. \"Ride... on...\" he murmurs, then closes his eyes again. The other riders bunched about the fence murmurs softly, looking for guidance to go on, go around the jump, whichever.
[Coenred(#30388)] More and more riders jump across the wall now and Hraefengar can at least speak. Thus Coenred is encouraged to take up the race once more. Carefully he rides Coifi back on the track and then turns for a new attempt at the stone wall.
Bardawulf arrives at Hraefengar\'s side at the same time as Coenred departs, and drops to his knees beside the fallen man, heedless of the race going on around them. \"Trying to avoid putting anyone to shame by winning, friend?\" he queries lightly, then, more firmly, \"How do you feel?\" By this point a couple of stretcher-bearers have arrived and wait to see whether they\'re needed.
Siglaf is snorting and stamping, eager to go on with the race. \"Wait just a little longer,\" Brihtwine tells him, eyeing the rapidly thinning ranks of riders as he prepares for his turn at the jump.
[Cross Country Race(#31279)] Neighing and hoofbeats fill the air as the horses make their way over a jump.
[Cross Country Race(#31279)->Brihtwine] ==============================================================================
Steeplechase: Field 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rank Rider Last Jump
1. Iaurer Cleared
2. Brihtwine Light touch
3. Hraefengar Hard touch
4. Coenred Stumble
==============================================================================
[Hraefengar(#15851)]
The scop blinks, then blinks again, staring, puzzled, as Coenred suddenly turns into Bardawulf. The horses go over the jump, and their hoofbeats can be felt on the ground. \"Sparrows,\" Hraefengar murmurs, then closes his eyes again, tightly against the brightness of the sky.
[Coenred(#30388)] The wall comes ever closer, Coifi jumps up into the air and clears the jump - only to land hard on the other side. The stallion stumbles as he touches down from the jump and breaks down on his fore legs. Coenred is thrown forward like a puppet but he remains mounted. \"Up, up,\" he commands and really, the horse manages to get up, seemingly unharmed. \"And once more,\" mutters the old rider.
Sparrows? Clearly birds are the last thing on Bardawulf\'s mind right now, for his features register blank puzzlement. Glancing up at the stretcher-bearers, he hesitates, frowning, then gives them a nod. \"Very well. I suppose he\'s better off out of the way.\" He shifts his own position so that he can aid the others to slide the prone man onto the stretcher with minimal movement to any body part. \"Now you can rest for as long as you need,\" he tells Hraefengar. \"Or as long as Faelwine will allow you.\" For an instant a smile seems to tug at the corner of his mouth, though his worried eyes do not share it.
Perhaps it is the protracted wait, perhaps the inexperience of mount and rider ... As Siglaf clears the stone wall, one of his rear hooves just clips it. The stone rocks, but does not fall. After a stagger and a few skittering steps, the stallion has recovered, and Brihtwine urges him on toward the next wall.
[Cross Country Race(#31279)] Neighing and hoofbeats fill the air as the horses make their way over a jump.
[Cross Country Race(#31279)->Brihtwine] ==============================================================================
Steeplechase: Field 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rank Rider Last Jump
1. Iaurer Cleared
2. Coenred Barely cleared
3. Brihtwine Light touch
4. Hraefengar Fall
==============================================================================
[Hraefengar(#15851)]
Hraefengar slumps a little, and the stretcher-bearers glance at each other. They move him onto it, then lift him and carry him off, gently so as not to hurt him further.
Theoden, in his seat, glances now and again at the scene, frowning, though he watches the race as well/
[Coenred(#30388)] Once again Coenred tries his luck at the stone wall and eventually the pair of horse and rider succeed - if barely. On goes the race, on goes the course and there appears another wall ahead. \"Careful now,\" mutters Coenred and he stands in the stirrups to take weight from the horse.
Once again, Siglaf\'s rear hoof clips the stone of the wall before he lands, and this time the stallion is slower to recover, slower to move on. Could that left leg, the one he caught on that first jump, be troubling him?
Brihtwine only has eyes for the next jump, the triple one, and at the sight of it he swallows hard. \"That one looks nasty,\" he mumbles, wincing. \"Careful now, Siglaf.\" His knuckles whiten on the reins as he guides his steed forward.
[Cross Country Race(#31279)] Neighing and hoofbeats fill the air as the horses make their way over a jump.
[Cross Country Race(#31279)->Brihtwine] ==============================================================================
Steeplechase: Field 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rank Rider Last Jump
1. Iaurer Easily cleared
2. Coenred Cleared
3. Theoden Cleared
4. Brihtwine Stumble
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OOC: Codewise Iaurer has now cleared the last jump. RP draws to a close
[Coenred(#30388)] And so the steeplechase continues. Some have not made it to the finish, but many a rider crosses the line. Cheering spectators hail the first number of competitors to reach the last jump but as many riders can still be seen in the course. The horsemanship of the Rohirrim and their guests from the Stoningland has been put to a hard test today, but at least there are those who mastered the course. Yet in the crowd there are already those who speak of an exceptionally harsh course and many a horse breeder will claim that horses in general were not made for such jumps - the heralds who devised the track should have known that...
=== Iaurer\'s DESC ============================================================
Before you stands a tall man, even among Gondorians. He is broad-shouldered, and his muscles seem to be well-toned. Long, black hair falls down to his shoulders, seeming to be cut rather crudely with a dagger. His chin is covered with the same black, forming a small beard. His grey eyes look out to the world rather vigilantly, and he seems able to face any dangers presented to him at all times. His skin is tanned from the time he spends outside, probably training his skills. The man looks as if he has seen his share of combat, but he can not be much older than twenty-five.
His torso is encased by a leather jerkin adorned by the symbol of the Black Tree and a baldric with the insignia of an Elm leaf, the hues of green and brown granting him camouflage in the woods of Ithilien. A helmet rests on his head, coloured a deep green, bearing the marks of the Black Tree. A brown cloak, speckled with green, has been fastened at his right shoulder, hanging down to just above the ground, flowing gracefully when he walks. Another insignia of the Black Tree is on the cloak, leaving there little doubt he is a man of Ithilien. His legs are covered by a pair of rather wide brown pants, tucked into sturdy black boots. A belt is used to hold a sheathe of a longsword. His hands are encased by black gauntlets, marking his rank as a Master Scout of Ithilien.
There is one distinguishing feature about him, namely, his scar. It runs from just under his ear, running down along side the neck artery, showing how lucky he had been in the past.
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=== Brihtwine\'s DESC =========================================================
Pale, flaxen hair is swept back from this young man\'s face and gathered in a single braid at the nape of his neck. Eyes the clear blue of a cloudless summer sky look out from a round, homely face, spattered with freckles across the upturned nose.
He is clad in armour, of leather for the most part, though a corselet of rings provides extra protection. Upon his head is a studded leather helm with a simple noseguard.
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