Part 25: Leave-taking
It seemed the sun dragged itself across the skies sluggishly. The petulant prince was frustrated in the extreme. He wanted to be gone. His two-headed beast had also found itself at loose ends stationing itself between two large crystals that flanked one of the main thoroughfares of the city. The mudra lay down and refused to be moved.
Despite his aching ribs, Shomaru was grateful for the excuse to leave the healing wing to deal with his recalcitrant beast. He could feel the energy pulsing within the huge glowing gems as he approached. Likewise, Moko-moko seeming both larger and more alive its trailing end swaying this way and that as the inu-prince strode down the lane.
Sesshomaru saw the matter immediately. Someone had removed the beasts harness and the basket halter on each head. Free of its burdens the creature believed it was at liberty to do as it pleased. Despite what he had told healer Ifalna, the truth was he had been in no condition to tell it otherwise.
Apparently, there was something about the glowing crystals that it found appealing. The left head leaned up to lick the crystal nearest to it. The action was followed by a buzz and crackle of energy. The head jerked back having received a shock of some sort, "Ahh," it moaned ears swiveled back, it snorted in mild discomfort.
Then the right head leaned in licking crystal nearest to it, this mineral also sparked at the point of contact and there was a slight tang of ozone in the air. The head jerked back from the shock "Unn," it sorted shaking its head from side to side in annoyance.
Then the left licked its crystal repeating the cycle with the same result. The two heads alternated their attention on the crystals: left, right, left, right. Neither liked the static-shocks the crystals dealt but either the taste or something about the overall experience must have been worth it.
If the Inu prince had still been a pup he would have been tempted to taste the crystals himself to see if he could discern their appeal. But as it was such a thing was clearly beneath his dignity.
He cleared his throat and glared at the creature that easily recognized its master's steps. "Ri! Ri! Diup" he commanded quietly swatting the creature on its flank. It obeyed lurching to its feet and ambling over to assess it's lord with a cautious sniff of his hair. Shomaru ignored the beast, turning on his heel and walked off toward the makeshift stables where the keepers had left his supplies and accouterments.
The pile had gotten larger during the past two night-watches. Ifalna and Varie had added their own belongings and he suspected several others had helped outfit them as well in a silent show of support - In direct contravention to the council's decree.
Winged or not, Sora was one of their own. They might not want to confront the might of Ziebach's bone army themselves, but they did not want to give up on her either. The only thing they could do was try to ensure the team had everything they might need and wish them the best of luck.
Shomaru ran a hand over the beast's withers and back ensuring none of its scales had come loose in the time they had been apart. He was equally attentive checking the demi-dragon's foot pads and claws.
Next, he grabbed one of the beast's ears with practiced ease, squeezing it firmly between thumb and index finger signaling the beast to lower itself to the ground it was one small concession in deference to that fussy healer's admonishments.
He meticulously arranged the karakul wool-rug across the demi-dragon's withers carefully to smoothing out the wrinkles and preventing bunching. Next came the cloth stuffed back-pads. He laid a Pendant cloth cover of acromatula silk over the rug and pads to keep the saddle frame from chafing and to help keep his beast protected and warm.
The hand-carved saddle was stuffed with cloth padding and covered with Shagreen skin affixed to a frame of wood with three separate saddle trees. It should be able to accommodate two riders and their associated supplies with little difficulty.
The only challenge was getting it positioned correctly on the beasts back. It was large and unwieldy especially when one was injured. A lesser being would have asked one of the attendants to help him but this Sesshomaru was a proud prince and it was his duty as his Heir to the West to care for his beast just as he had since he was a pup. He grasped the first and second saddle trees and hoisted the wood frame up careful to protect his lower back and still aching ribs.
The young inu had to rest much of the saddle's weight on his right thigh before pivoting to place the frame across his mount's scaled back. That nosy healer would be happy to note this Sesshomaru did not so much as wince as he adjusted the saddle.
Shomaru swept the back of one hand across the moon mark on his brow quickly removing the tell-tale sheen of sweat he didn't want to admit was present as a result of what was normally light exertion. The other hand he kept on the central saddle tree holding it in place.
"Diup" He ordered the beast to its feet. Once the two-headed demi-dragon was upright again it was easier to reposition the saddle forward so would sit comfortably along his beast's long sinuous body without rubbing against protruding hipbones. He cinched the main girth over the demi-dragon's sternum as tightly as possible. The back strap went next across the middle of its belly.
Shomaru had heard some creatures would purposefully inflate their belly causing the straps to slip later but his beast was loyal and didn't usually play such games. Of course, there was no need, the prince knew just how tight to make the straps to keep the saddle stable without making the creature uncomfortable.
The fringed Chest strap fixed loosely to prevent the saddle from shifting backward and the crupper around the band encircled the scaled rump beneath the tail to prevent the saddle from sliding forward.
"All set," he confirmed patting the beast's flank as he checked the blankets one last time to make sure they were lying flat. The left head made a wuffling noise while the right snorted ruffling its riders silver bangs. "Yes, I am ready to be gone as well." He quietly commiserated. It was no great hardship to make an accounting of accumulated supplies as he packed them into the various service packs and saddlebags.
"Not trying to leave without us are you?" Vaire asked though the point was moot; he could see she was already dressed for the journey with a pack and bedroll slung over her arm.
Ifalna sent him a firm frown when she noted the demi-dragon was loaded and ready to go. "let me check your ribs."
"I'm fine." He tried to wave her away but the winged one was quite persistent and would not relent until she had been as meticulous about his own bandages as had been equipping his beast.
"You will not ride before high-sun on the morrow while those ribs finish mending. Nothing strenuous; No climbing about, no fighting. Varie and I will set up camp and do all the heavy lifting." She demanded. On one hand, Sesshomaru bristled. He was a Dai-Yōkai and a prince. He hated being told what to do…especially by healers. On the other hand, he hadn't felt this 'cared for' in a very long time. It made something in his breast clench. He didn't know how to respond.
"Do as you please" he shrugged noncommittally. One clawed hand grasped the reigns of his beast, the other stroked Moko-moko seeding it with Yōkai energy until it expanded to form a cloud rolling and churning beneath his booted feet. He knelt as the cloud gathered beneath him, lifting him away from the ground.
"I will fly." He told them, tugging the demi-dragon's reigns to urging it forward and up. In no time they were sailing through the marble arch and away from the mystic valley.
The two Centra looked stunned for the span of several breaths. Varie recovered first, white wings shimmering into being with a flash of light. She was aloft in a heartbeat.
The healer followed several breaths later, though she caught up to the haughty dog dæmon in a flurry of wingbeats. "Don't strain yourself" Ifalna reminded with a huff.
Sesshomaru didn't bother to reply. He saw no point in explaining that cloud striding was his preferred form of travel. The fact that it was far less stressful on his healing body than walking, running, riding or shifting to bolt form was incidental. It had nothing to do with the fact that his ribs still twinged a bit him if he breathed too deeply. He was fine. More than fine actually!