The goofy smile on Chachanji's face made Roen answer the boy with her own. As soon as he popped that candy in his mouth his eyes seemed to glaze over, and it was as though happy thoughts bloomed like a great big joyful flower on his face. Watching him relish in such simple joy was contagious.
"One of my favorite things to do when I learned how to ride was to go on long runs. Through the woods, up the mountain trails..." She leaned forward to give Goldwind a pat on the neck. "I think it lets you and your mount have a little fun together. And soon, he becomes your friend."
Roen's smile grew wistful. She remembered running away with on the back of her childhood mount, named Greywind for his dark grey hue, to join the battle at Carteneau so many cycles ago. Greywind had been brave and stalwart even in the face of frightening explosions and the clashing of weapons all around them. More so than she herself had been, as the paladin recalled.
"Avenger has to have as much courage as you do, and sometimes even more so if you falter." The paladin sat straighter in her seat, growing a bit somber. "They can be your best friend sometimes. And they need to be, if they are to help you charge into battle."
"Trust and friendship are not just born out of sharing an understanding and learning together." She blinked at her own words, as she silently reminded herself to practice her own lessons with those she held dear. "You need to have fun now and then." A smile slowly grew as Goldwind stomped once on the dirt with growing anticipation. "So! Today, I have planned a race for us! From here to the Sultantree. There is a trail that leads out near the road, and there are a few obstacles off to the sides, rocks and logs. I want you to jump over at least five of those on your way to the finish."
Goldwind let out an excited warble, craning his neck and flapping his wings. He could always sense when she was in the mood for a fast run; both the rider and the bird always found unabashed glee in trying to outrun the wind.
"Are you ready?" Roen beamed at Chachanji, her challenge punctuated by a high-pitched kweh from her bird.
"One of my favorite things to do when I learned how to ride was to go on long runs. Through the woods, up the mountain trails..." She leaned forward to give Goldwind a pat on the neck. "I think it lets you and your mount have a little fun together. And soon, he becomes your friend."
Roen's smile grew wistful. She remembered running away with on the back of her childhood mount, named Greywind for his dark grey hue, to join the battle at Carteneau so many cycles ago. Greywind had been brave and stalwart even in the face of frightening explosions and the clashing of weapons all around them. More so than she herself had been, as the paladin recalled.
"Avenger has to have as much courage as you do, and sometimes even more so if you falter." The paladin sat straighter in her seat, growing a bit somber. "They can be your best friend sometimes. And they need to be, if they are to help you charge into battle."
"Trust and friendship are not just born out of sharing an understanding and learning together." She blinked at her own words, as she silently reminded herself to practice her own lessons with those she held dear. "You need to have fun now and then." A smile slowly grew as Goldwind stomped once on the dirt with growing anticipation. "So! Today, I have planned a race for us! From here to the Sultantree. There is a trail that leads out near the road, and there are a few obstacles off to the sides, rocks and logs. I want you to jump over at least five of those on your way to the finish."
Goldwind let out an excited warble, craning his neck and flapping his wings. He could always sense when she was in the mood for a fast run; both the rider and the bird always found unabashed glee in trying to outrun the wind.
"Are you ready?" Roen beamed at Chachanji, her challenge punctuated by a high-pitched kweh from her bird.
