Post by Fox on Dec 23, 2010 6:14:18 GMT -8
Winter had thrown a blanket of cold over Pohono, and the Eyrie, protected though it was in a fashion by its position deep within the canyon, was no exception. Seronaph perched on a ledge with his feathers fluffed up against the cold, looking somewhat like a ridiculous red puffball, watching as His tramped along persistently, checking that the targets for today's winglet lesson were set up to his satisfaction. They had been borrowed from the stockpile of things K'huna had come up with for the Alpha class, since K'ean saw no need to make a new one if there were perfectly good targets still lying around. It would be a waste of materials, especially since the Bravos didn't have as many members as the Alphas. Plus, Seronaph observed with a snort, His was rather inordinately amused by the yellow eyes painted onto the targets. Not like they would look much like koxi when the winglets one day went out to face them.
It won't be too long now, Seph.[/b] K'ean noted amusedly, seeing as they were more than halfway through their syllabus, and Altaph's chicks were growing well. Philomeph was largest by far; expected since she was a tawny, and Clymeph was coming along rather well too, though she was more of an average size for her colour. Hummiph was definitely small for a blue, and still timid, which worried the wingletmasters slightly, but there had been some improvement over time. He was no longer the same chick who had cowered under the stage at the Second Hatching Feast-- chiefly because he no longer fit-- but at the same time he was no Dionyph either. Seronaph approved of all of his students. They would go far. No, it will not. The Alphas graduate soon, as well.[/color] And the Bravos would not be far behind them.
Below, K'ean nodded in acknowledgement, as he checked that the last target was sunken well into the hard ground. He'd brought five, just in case, and set them up at differing heights, so that the winglets could test themselves on a target lower to the ground or even higher if they so wished. The tallest would probably reach shoulder-height on Philomeph. You can call them now, Seph. The usual. With a fluff and a mental bugle, Seronaph complied, reaching out to touch the minds of Ma'ro, Ev'yn and Am'ra, with their respective simourv partners wherever they were. It was mid-morning by this point, so he wouldn't be surprised if they were having breakfast. Winglets, come to the canyon bed for a lesson. Riding gear and bows, please. We start mounted archery today.[/color]
When their three students arrived, K'ean nodded to them, observing the changes wrought over the course of the seasons. It was a pleasing sight, and he smiled. "Good morning, winglets. As Seronaph told you, today you'll be shooting at the targets from simourv-back. All of you know how to shoot a bow by now and can actually hit what you aim at-- if you don't I will not be pleased-- and so the next challenge is to be able to do it while your simourv is moving. Just remember that you have to move with your simourv, not against them, and get the rhythm of it before trying to shoot." He gestured towards the targets, "So pick a target and get to. Try not to shoot your simourvs or anyone else; if you can't manage to get the shot in sights before you pass the target, don't shoot. Save your arrows, never shoot without aiming first. You could hurt someone." K'ean moved away from where he'd been standing, in the middle of the first target's lane, so that the winglets could move to a target. He nodded, "Keep to a canter, please. We don't need to run all out just yet today."
Above, Seronaph shifted again on his ledge, eyes following the winglets, ready to catch a mistake. Before they began, though, his helpful voice grumbled, Aim and fire. It shouldn't be that hard, considering you're not the ones doing the running, now, are you?[/color] His rider simply rolled his eyes. Says the creature who has never shot a bow. You trying to teach them how to shoot is like the blind leading the blind.[/i] An irritate huff was the only answer.[/size]
It won't be too long now, Seph.[/b] K'ean noted amusedly, seeing as they were more than halfway through their syllabus, and Altaph's chicks were growing well. Philomeph was largest by far; expected since she was a tawny, and Clymeph was coming along rather well too, though she was more of an average size for her colour. Hummiph was definitely small for a blue, and still timid, which worried the wingletmasters slightly, but there had been some improvement over time. He was no longer the same chick who had cowered under the stage at the Second Hatching Feast-- chiefly because he no longer fit-- but at the same time he was no Dionyph either. Seronaph approved of all of his students. They would go far. No, it will not. The Alphas graduate soon, as well.[/color] And the Bravos would not be far behind them.
Below, K'ean nodded in acknowledgement, as he checked that the last target was sunken well into the hard ground. He'd brought five, just in case, and set them up at differing heights, so that the winglets could test themselves on a target lower to the ground or even higher if they so wished. The tallest would probably reach shoulder-height on Philomeph. You can call them now, Seph. The usual. With a fluff and a mental bugle, Seronaph complied, reaching out to touch the minds of Ma'ro, Ev'yn and Am'ra, with their respective simourv partners wherever they were. It was mid-morning by this point, so he wouldn't be surprised if they were having breakfast. Winglets, come to the canyon bed for a lesson. Riding gear and bows, please. We start mounted archery today.[/color]
When their three students arrived, K'ean nodded to them, observing the changes wrought over the course of the seasons. It was a pleasing sight, and he smiled. "Good morning, winglets. As Seronaph told you, today you'll be shooting at the targets from simourv-back. All of you know how to shoot a bow by now and can actually hit what you aim at-- if you don't I will not be pleased-- and so the next challenge is to be able to do it while your simourv is moving. Just remember that you have to move with your simourv, not against them, and get the rhythm of it before trying to shoot." He gestured towards the targets, "So pick a target and get to. Try not to shoot your simourvs or anyone else; if you can't manage to get the shot in sights before you pass the target, don't shoot. Save your arrows, never shoot without aiming first. You could hurt someone." K'ean moved away from where he'd been standing, in the middle of the first target's lane, so that the winglets could move to a target. He nodded, "Keep to a canter, please. We don't need to run all out just yet today."
Above, Seronaph shifted again on his ledge, eyes following the winglets, ready to catch a mistake. Before they began, though, his helpful voice grumbled, Aim and fire. It shouldn't be that hard, considering you're not the ones doing the running, now, are you?[/color] His rider simply rolled his eyes. Says the creature who has never shot a bow. You trying to teach them how to shoot is like the blind leading the blind.[/i] An irritate huff was the only answer.[/size]
