Ayra's Assignment
The letter in Ayra's hand had frustrated her- every turn she took, somebody needed something. Usually she was not so curious, but after nearly opening it only to be interrupted so many times, she was more than ready to learn of its contents. Speedwalking to private quarters, she made sure nobody was nearby as she pulled it open, and finally let her eyes follow the note inside.
From Anna, Commander of the Order of Heroes, to Ayra:
Hello, Ayra! I'm sure you've heard of the new transport program we're running.
She had not.
You've been selected as a jockey, and your mount will be Kliff.
Kliff? Who is Kliff? Ayra'd never met any "Kliff".
You and Kliff have been assigned a coordination seminar with me on the 24th of the Harp string Moon at the Training Arena. It will be at midday.
The 24th… so, tomorrow.
See you there!
Ayra had spent all morning wondering what exactly the "new transport program" was. She's a jockey? Like, the same as with a horse, or a pegasus? But, the "mount" was another person- somebody named Kliff, allegedly. She figured she was missing some piece of the puzzle. Her morning sparring completed, she saw the sun approaching the middle of the sky. It was time to find out the plan Anna had had in mind.
The black haired swordswoman approached the hallway, where she spotted three people. One had pale brown hair, that shaped a bowl around his head. The other was a man Ayra had met before, who had something in his mouth. Next to him stood the red-haired girl she'd received the letter from.
"Ah, Ayra! Glad you've made it." Anna said.
"Oh. I'm here," she said.
"Wait," the tan-haired man added, "this is Ayra? She's taller than I am."
"Huh. You're right," Anna said.
"Are you sure this is a good idea? She's bigger than I am, too… probably weighs more." he said.
"Hmph," Ayra pouted.
He spoke, embarrassed and regretting his choice of words, "Well, not that that's a problem, but-"
"Then we're okay, right?" Anna stated. "Then let's get going!" She produced in one of her hands some equipment, held out to the black-haired girl.
"What's this?" Ayra said, "and hold on. What's this 'jockey' and 'mount' stuff about?"
"Oh, you haven't heard?" Anna replied. "We've been starting a new partner program. Kliff has been assigned to be your partner. You'll be riding on him, and he'll be carrying you, on his back."
"Riding on him? Like, the same way I'd ride a horse or a pegasi?" Ayra asked, unsure about the idea.
"We're short on horses and pegasi, so…" The blue haired man with something in his mouth muffled. Wait… that man was Alfonse.
"Shush!" Anna chided, annoyed. "Either way, you're right. That is the plan!" She pulled on a strap that was attached to the bit in Alfonse's mouth. "Follow us, and we'll show you how it's done."
The four walked through the hall, each with different thoughts on the situation. Just before entering, Kliff looked at Ayra, and Ayra just looked straight forward. He wondered if she'd be gentle with him.
Anna guided them to the center of the training field, then turned to face Kliff and Ayra.
"Just watch us, and do the same."
Ayra watched as Anna tightened the bit in Alfonse's mouth. The red-haired girl then walked behind the prince, still holding the straps attached to his bit. Her hands landed on his shoulders, and she pushed him down to the ground, where he landed on his hands and knees. She then mounted him, letting each leg bend at his sides, with her rear seated on his midsection.
"Now that I'm mounted up, let's see how you do, Ayra," she said, smiling.
Ayra turned to face Kliff. He had a nervous expression, and before Ayra could get the bit in his mouth, he requested, "Please go easy on me." Ayra didn't respond, merely only scoffing at him. He was a man, and even though he didn't have much muscle, it was the job he was assigned, so Ayra didn't like hearing him be cowardly. She walked behind him, and placed her hands on his shoulders, pushing him down to the ground, as he awkwardly made his way to his hands and knees. His frame looked like it would make a comfortable seat, and so she wasted little time setting herself down on top of him, holding the reins attached to his bit.
"Good!" Anna said, "Now all you've got to do is ride him. Like this!" She flicked the reins, and Alfonse started moving. He looked tired, like this wasn't the first demonstration he had given today.
Ayra cracked the reins, and felt Kliff tremble a slight bit beneath her before he began to crawl after Anna and Alfonse. His pace wasn't amazing, and Ayra felt annoyed. She'd done her part, why couldn't he do his?
"Hmm," Anna said, watching them. "Perhaps we can reassign some mounts, if this pairing won't work?"
Ayra looked down and saw Kliff's head raising up, trying to make eye contact with Anna. She called back before he could say anything-
"No, this is okay. I can make this work."
Kliff's head fell down in discontent. Ayra cracked the reins again, and he resumed moving, following after Alfonse and Anna. She had trouble making him keep up with Anna, even after Alfonse slowed down to allow them to make up some distance. Whenever Kliff began to slow down, Ayra would whip the reins, which worked effectively enough that they kept pace with a decelerated Anna.
"What do you think, Ayra?" Anna asked.
"About what?"
"Riding. Like it?"
"Like it? I don't care. If I'm assigned to this, I'll do it. But what purpose does this serve?"
Anna winked and smiled, as if she was waiting to hear this question. "This program is two-fold: it provides transport without needing more resources, and it forms more partnerships and teams within the Order of Heroes."
"Fair enough," Ayra said, unsure if she was completely following.
"Think you can do it?"
"Yes. But Kliff here, he's not as strong as I might have hoped."
Kliff, lacking encouragment, stumbled as if on queue. Ayra held her place atop him, and stayed sitting on his back as he fell to the ground, arms and legs sprawled out.
Ayra's eyes and eyebrows formed a tighter expression. "Get back up," she instructed.
He listened, mustering his strength to elevate her off of the ground. Her butt weighed heavily on his ribs, and he didn't know how much more he could take.
"Well…" Anna said, "Kliff is assigned to be your mount, meaning he takes orders from you now."
"I see," Ayra said, welcoming a bit of authority.
"So if you need him to be stronger, you can always train him."
"At this rate, I'll need to."
"It's probably better that way," Anna said, "The more you're riding him, the better both of you will be at this. Have you got the basics now?" she asked.
"I think so."
"Then let's dismount!" Anna said, shifting her waist so that she could stand on two legs.
Alfonse looked relieved as he stood back up, and stretched his back. Ayra followed Anna's example, and Kliff laid down for a minute before standing up next to Ayra.
"Great work! You two are dismissed."
Ayra and Kliff made their way back through the hall to the exterior of the arena.
"So, that was... interesting…" Kliff said, tired.
"I suppose it was," she added.
"Then I'll be leaving, now," he said, gesturing a wave.
"Hold it. You need more training," Ayra said, stopping Kliff in his tracks.
"I'm really tired, and this seems… impractical."
"Fine. Then, we start again tomorrow morning."