Chachanji’s gleeful hollering echoed into the afternoon sky, and Roen nearly joined him in his loud cheer. The jump was a close one; she felt Avenger’s feet brush up against her back and was grateful that the bird had enough sense to curl his talons inward. But as she saw them both land past her and dart toward the Sultantree, she could not help but grin from ear to ear. She turned Goldwind back around, her mount letting out a snort as it continued to give chase to the rider ahead of them.
But Roen found herself sitting back in her seat, relaxing into the saddle rather than the crouched racing pose she had held, as she pictured her younger self racing ahead of them. Was it twelve cycles ago? Or more? She remembered laughing and cheering into the cool wintry air as she cleared five jumps down a slippery wet slope in the mountains overlooking her family’s manse. Back then, she had imagined herself charging heroically into some battle, dodging obstacles along the way as she raced to save someone in need.
Of course that was back when her life was filled only with tall empty hallways, cold stone floors, stern words from her teachers, and the muted gaze of a mournful father who refused to meet her eyes. After her mother’s passing, a home that had been filled with love and laughter only gave hollow echoes to the distant memories of a life that once had been.
A child of less than ten-winters, Roen had taken to imagining heroic adventures beyond the vaulted ceilings and the towering walls. She took to riding, something that her mother had taught her, with fervor. She took up practicing sword fighting with the servants -- those who were kind enough to humor the girl who was eagerly swinging a wooden sword in the air. But it was racing down the hill her chocobo -- a valued Ishgardian import then -- that made her feel truly free.
A wistful smile lifted her expression as Roen’s attention returned back to the present... just in time to see Chachanji reach the Sultantree. Goldwind had given them quite the chase, even if the paladin had been lost in her own memories. Roen tugged on the reins as she came to a stop shortly behind them, beaming at her pupil.
“Well done, Chachanji!†She clapped as she hopped off Goldwind. “That jump was fantastic!†She approached the Lalafell and his bird, her hand clasped in front of her. “You and Avenger are certainly ready to race into any battle after that race. How do you feel?â€
But Roen found herself sitting back in her seat, relaxing into the saddle rather than the crouched racing pose she had held, as she pictured her younger self racing ahead of them. Was it twelve cycles ago? Or more? She remembered laughing and cheering into the cool wintry air as she cleared five jumps down a slippery wet slope in the mountains overlooking her family’s manse. Back then, she had imagined herself charging heroically into some battle, dodging obstacles along the way as she raced to save someone in need.
Of course that was back when her life was filled only with tall empty hallways, cold stone floors, stern words from her teachers, and the muted gaze of a mournful father who refused to meet her eyes. After her mother’s passing, a home that had been filled with love and laughter only gave hollow echoes to the distant memories of a life that once had been.
A child of less than ten-winters, Roen had taken to imagining heroic adventures beyond the vaulted ceilings and the towering walls. She took to riding, something that her mother had taught her, with fervor. She took up practicing sword fighting with the servants -- those who were kind enough to humor the girl who was eagerly swinging a wooden sword in the air. But it was racing down the hill her chocobo -- a valued Ishgardian import then -- that made her feel truly free.
A wistful smile lifted her expression as Roen’s attention returned back to the present... just in time to see Chachanji reach the Sultantree. Goldwind had given them quite the chase, even if the paladin had been lost in her own memories. Roen tugged on the reins as she came to a stop shortly behind them, beaming at her pupil.
“Well done, Chachanji!†She clapped as she hopped off Goldwind. “That jump was fantastic!†She approached the Lalafell and his bird, her hand clasped in front of her. “You and Avenger are certainly ready to race into any battle after that race. How do you feel?â€
