^^^^^^^^^^^
"Up you lazy slugabeds! The day won't linger!" The familiar shout broke the silence of the sleeping camp. Another morning started, with the usual hurried bustle. Amidst grumbles, grunts, and half-hearted curses the dwarven trading caravan roused itself from sleep and prepared for the breaking of camp.
Another day faced them. The routine of packing, plodding, halting, and collapsing. It was wearying. Dull. Repetitive. But it was their lot in life, and despite their usual gruff boredom they enjoyed it. Occasional celebrations, trading stops, and other rare variations kept things bariable if not even somewhat interesting. Life on the road had its perks as well. While it was far from thrilling at times they did have a nice change of scenery everyday. Not often did they remain in one place for long and their travels took them far. In just that, they had what many desired.
Just the same, it was easy enough to get bored. Sometimes the days dragged out too long and too dull. Of course, it was always at these times when one felt the worse for wear that the excitement did present itself. But first boredom had to reach its peak, and by then things looked like they would never brighten up.
This was exactly how Kahli felt this morning.
"Come on you! Get going!" rumbled the snow-bearded leader of the caravan in his usual gruff, good-natured way.
The caravan's leader. Otherwise known as Kahli's father.
The young dwarf he spoke to grumbled something angrily at the elder and rolled over, pulling the thick blankets closer. "The ponies need feeding and bridling. The group won't wait. Get about your duties!" Old Nahli's only response was a loud snore from the pile of blankets. He sighed, rolled his eyes and delivered a swift kick to the lump. Abruptly the snoring ceased, replaced by a sharp yelp of pain.
"Ow! Stop, stop! I'm up! Lemme be!" wailed the now lurching bundle. After quite a struggle, the occupant of the bed managed to free both hands from the tangle and wiggle out of the twisted blankets with no little amount of grunting and cursing. A head of wiry, onyx-colored hair poked from the mass of thick cloth, both hands working to move the mess out of their owner's face. Dark brown eyes glinted as the dwarf's deft fingers began to works out the snarls and swiftly braid down the course hair. "There, I'm up. Happy?" Kahli snapped, mouth moving nearly as fast as her fingers. Her father's face betrayed his amusement at her behavior, as did the chuckle in his voice when he spoke.
"Very." He nodded shortly to her, grey beard bobbing. "Hurry with the ponies this morning. I want an early start if we can." With that he turned and strode away to supervise the rest of the camp as it packed up for the morning, trusting her to get ready. His daughter sighed grumpily to herself as she watched him go, but quickly finished fixing her hair into the usual collection of tight braids. She didn't bother to tie them; the coarseness of her hair and the tightness of the braids allowed them to hold without any sort of band or tie. Lucky thing, too. Less work.
Hair relatively tamed, the female dwarf proceeded to gather her things. Her bedding was tackled briskly, blankets shaken out and folded into small bundles, then stuffed into her bag. Truthfully she owned very little while traveling, so cleaning up her sleeping area only took a few short minutes.
A dark blue hooded cloak was snatched up and carelessly tossed over her clothes, pushed back and hood down for the moment. It was a custom of the dwarf-women to dress exactly like the men when out in the world. Strange it seemed to most not of dwarvish kind, but it was their way, as were many other things outsiders didn't understand. Something that never ceased to amuse her was the tales told, mainly by Men, of how dwarves supposedly "grew out of stone" since there were no females of their kind. This, of course, was hardly the truth. There were dwarf-women, like herself, but their number was few; only about one-third of the entire race. When the women were seen by outsiders, a rare occurrence to be sure, they appeared so much like the men that few ever really realized it was a woman they saw.
No sooner was she packed and ready to begin the real work of another day, a shout came from the edge of the camp and made her stop. "Hey! Will you hurry up and get over here? You always make me do all the work!"
Kahli couldn't help it. Despite her annoyance at the morning so far, a small grin worked its way out as she yelled back, "Oh, sod off, Oror! Admit you can't handle those ponies without me and maybe I'll move a little faster!" Cheerful low laugher was her only reply and the dwarf shook her head, chuckling softly to herself. She picked up her bag and tossed it over her shoulder, striding across the camp toward the area where the caravan's ponies were tied. With experienced ease she dodged still sleeping dwarves, bags, carts, packages, crates and multiple other things, finding Oror busily fitting one of many bridles on a short grey pony.
"Deliver or harness?" he asked quickly, not bothering to look up from his work. An easy job, she noted with a smirk. This pony was old Gormon's and a gentler, more obedient creature couldn't be found. Figures he would leave the troublesome ones to her.
"Harness." This response had come to be expected since it was what she always replied. Yet another of the many things that just never changed. How dull it was.
Oror bobbed his head once, copper-colored beard wagging with the movement. He finished buckling the bridle, saddled the grey, and led it off across camp to its owner. Kahli watched for a short moment or two, then hastily turned and got to work, knowing when he came back he'd be ready to deliver more of the beasts to their places of need. Her dark eyes scanned the area where dozens of ponies were picketed, finally coming to rest on one, a completely black creature with a nasty glint in his eyes. Kazor. The most spirited of the bunch. And the most bothersome to get ready. There was a long moment of hesitation before she sighed and headed cautiously over, movements slow and careful so as not to startle him. Worse than usual, at least. Might as well get it over with.
The obstinate animal raised his head as she approached, heavy forelock falling into his eyes and managing to complete the look of roguishness. Everything about the way he stood, watched her, flicked his ears, stomped a foot, everything seemed to dare her to try making him do something he didn't want to. Groaning, the dwarf shook her head, trying to clear all the embarrassing, painful and unforgettable experiences this blasted creature managed to put her through. It was just yesterday he completely refused to be bridled by her, knocking her over and tearing off through the camp to his master, the one person who could handle him properly. And, to make matters worse, his master was the leader of the caravan itself. Her father. How completely stupid she had felt! The one task he had appointed her to do, for the good of the entire group, she had managed to fail. One morning would have been bad enough, but it had been every morning. A horse, a single horse. No, not even that. A pony. She couldn't even handle that. Yet one more dull challenge in life. But… well, this morning she wasn't up for it. If nothing was going to change on its own, why couldn't she change things?
"Look," Kahli sighed, looking the beast in the eye. "You've bullied me long enough. But I'm not in the mood for it today, so come along quietly or else." Exactly what the 'or else' was she had no idea. But it sounded good. At least, it did to her.
Kazor on the other hand, wouldn't be so easily convinced. The black pony snorted at her words and tossed his head, once more daring her to call her bluff. 'Go on, then!' he almost seemed to taunt. 'You just try it. Go on!'
"I will!" she retorted, not bothering with what others might think if they saw her talking to a horse. Angrily she whirled about, marching over to the pile of saddles and bridles. Kazor's own equipment was gathered, bridle and saddle both decorated lavishly with gold, silver, and gems, loudly pronouncing the importance of both steed and rider. Though the tack was heavy, the muscular dwarf-girl easily managed the weight, stomping back over to the black pony to face him once more. The saddle was promptly dropped at the base of a tree, but she held onto the headstall of the bridle, reins slung across her shoulder with her cloak, keeping both out of the way. "Right then. Are you going to make this hard or easy?"
Again the stallion snorted, tossing his head. His eyes watched her closely to see what she would do as he danced in place, hooves drumming on the ground as he threatened to dash to the other end of his line if she came too close. Pure defiance was in his every moment. Kahli sighed again.
"Fine. We'll do it the hard way." Determination enough to match his defiance, she took a step forward, hardly surprised when the dark pony turned-tail and fled to the other end of the line that tied him. But she hadn't been moving towards him, she had been moving toward the end of the line, where it was tied to a stake driven far into the ground. Slinging the bridle she carried across her shoulder, she reached down and untied the rope, hanging onto it with a deathgrip once it was free. "Now," she began tersely, "we're going to do this right for once. You're not going to make a fool out of me today you evil beast." Even as she spoke the line was slowly being drawn in. Her movement might not have been graceful, dwarves could never be so even if they tried, but they were cautious and slow. When one worked with precious gems and metals each move had to be precise and deliberate. Now this skill came in handy.
Much to her surprise Kazor didn't move a muscle. His dancing abruptly halted, though he continued to watch her carefully. She kept talking, low voice softer than usual in a sort of droning monotone. What exactly she was saying, in truth, she had no idea. But it seemed to be working, nonetheless. The usually wild pony seemed almost hypnotized.
Step by step, minute by minute she edged closer, slowly closing the gap between herself and the animal. Her voice droned on, time seemed to stretch out, every movement was in slow motion. And suddenly she was there, no more than a foot from the pony's velvety dark nose. She froze, still murmuring to him, the shortened line held so tightly in her callused hands that they began to cramp and ache. Neither moved. Long moments passed, dragged on.
Finally Kahli forced herself to take one hand off the lead line and slowly grasp the bridle on her shoulder. Carefully, cautiously, she slid it off and held it mid-air. Kazor snorted and stomped a foot. Both froze again, studying each other. The dwarf took a deep, silent breath and shifted the line in her hands. Then she dropped it onto the grass.
Nothing happened. Another minute passed. Still nothing. Shocked but pleased, a very faint smile began to appear on her face. The bridle was taken in both hands. Again, no movement from Kazor other than another snort and a little flick of his ears. Her senseless words kept coming, more like a chant now, hypnotizing both of them. Intently she moved again, bringing the bridle closer to the black pony's nose. The back of her hands brushed his velvet muzzle firmly, letting him know she was there so as not to startle him with the leather. A shudder ran through the muscular animal at her touch, but he remained still, dark eyes still fixed on her. And then, before she could think about what she was doing, Kahli had leaned forward and slipped the bridle around Kazor's nose, up behind his ears and had it buckled. Then she stepped back, gripping the dangling reins.
The pony shook his head at the feeling and snorted once more, stomping a hind foot. But, unlike so many other times, he didn't try to break away. His ears twitched back, flicked forward. Where flat defiance had once been there now was wry amusement, toleration. Like an older child who indulges overblown threats from a cocky youngster. If she was that determined, he would allow it. Not exactly willingly, but he would, just the same.
It took a few minutes for all this to register in Kahli's mind. Time had been moving so slowly it took a few minutes to catch up. And then it hit her. Hard. She'd done it. She had finally managed to do what her father had done, prove herself. The breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding escaped her in a whoosh of relief. Perhaps today was different after all…
In what seemed no time at all Kazor was saddled as well. As strange as it seemed, the time she had spent coaxing the pony to accept her was rather short. When Oror finally returned from his errand he found her standing by a tree, stroking the beast's nose and talking quietly to him. And, much to his shock, the creature was fully tacked up. What exactly had come to pass while he was away, he hadn't the foggiest. But it have obviously been quite a bit.
"How…" he started, once he had managed to get his voice working again. Then he promptly gave up on that comment and tried again. "Did… did someone help you?" Kahli looked up from the conversation she was having with the devil- horse and grinned at him.
"Help me?" she replied innocently, her brown eyes sparkling with mischief. "Help me with what?" The other dwarf shook his head and chuckled as he started off to fetch another pony from its line.
"Never ceases to amaze me," was all he muttered in reply, busying himself with untying a bay filly before looking up at his friend with a smile. "Well, go on then. Seems you've managed to control that beast better than any. Save your father, of course. You'd better take him where he's gotta go. Don't know how well he'd take to me."
The simple fact that Oror had actually admitted (however subtly) that she could do something better than he could, or had accomplished something he hadn't, was enough to make Kahli puff up with pride. She had done it. On her own.
Practically skipping through the camp, she led Kazor proudly up to her father. With an added flourish she presented him with the diamond-studded reins, grinning at the shock that was only partially hidden on his face. The expressions on his companions' faces were even more amusing.
"Ah, very good!" Nahli managed to get out, desperately trying to compose himself as the leader of the traders' camp. He took the reins offered to him and nodded, keeping his face neutral. "Well, go on, then! Get the others their ponies!" The dismissal was gruff, as usual, but the old dwarf's emotions were betrayed in his black eyes, nearly hidden beneath bushy silver brows. They shone with a merry pride, a smile far more fulfilling than most. If she had felt proud before, now she was bursting.
"Righto, sir!" she barked in reply to her order, grinning one more time at those nearby before whirling about and running off to finish the morning's work. Unsurprisingly enough, the work left to be done was nothing compared to that which had been gotten done with. Again she swapped places with Oror, tacking up ponies or harnessing them up to carts as fast as her friend could lead them off to their respective place in the caravan.
Before long the day was officially started. Everyone was up, early jobs, such as packing, cooking and cleaning were completed and the group was scurrying into line. A chunk of bread in one hand and a piece of meat in the other, Nahli dashed about the camp, waving his arms and shouting at people do to this or do that, move here or get away from there. The last few dwarves completed various tasks and hurried into line, Kahli among them. Her own young pony, Copp his name was, shifted anxiously under her. At her side was her father, mounted up on Kazor, still yelling orders at those behind him. Everything was ready.
Finally satisfied, Nahli nudged his mount forward. "Move out!" he called loudly, voice ringing through the trees. Like some strange giant creature, the caravan heaved itself up and began to plod steadily forward to face the day.
Copp jogging excitedly ahead, Kahli felt her heart sink a little. Already the pride her morning's accomplishments were fading. And another day loomed ahead. She tried to push away the feeling that this was life, dull and relatively unchanging, but it hung heavy on her. Things would never change. Not enough to please her, anyway.
"Keep an eye out, daughter," the gruff voice of her father broke her thoughts. He turned to her with a nod, pointing ahead into the wild. "Can't let yourself ever lose your guard. Never know what a day'll bring, or what you'll find in your journeys. Every day's a little different, but you have to stay alert or you'll miss things."
Abruptly she looked up, startled by these words. Had he somehow known her thoughts? But already he had turned away, striking up a tense conversation with a nearby companion. Maybe he hadn't. Maybe he had. With her father, you never knew.
She sighed quietly to herself and yet couldn't hold back the little smile that formed. If they held meaning or not, her father's words were true. What lay down the road for any of them? Only time would tell.
^^^^^^^^^
"Up you lazy slugabeds! The day won't linger!" The familiar shout broke the silence of the sleeping camp. Another morning started, with the usual hurried bustle. Amidst grumbles, grunts, and half-hearted curses the dwarven trading caravan roused itself from sleep and prepared for the breaking of camp.
Another day faced them. The routine of packing, plodding, halting, and collapsing. It was wearying. Dull. Repetitive. But it was their lot in life, and despite their usual gruff boredom they enjoyed it. Occasional celebrations, trading stops, and other rare variations kept things bariable if not even somewhat interesting. Life on the road had its perks as well. While it was far from thrilling at times they did have a nice change of scenery everyday. Not often did they remain in one place for long and their travels took them far. In just that, they had what many desired.
Just the same, it was easy enough to get bored. Sometimes the days dragged out too long and too dull. Of course, it was always at these times when one felt the worse for wear that the excitement did present itself. But first boredom had to reach its peak, and by then things looked like they would never brighten up.
This was exactly how Kahli felt this morning.
"Come on you! Get going!" rumbled the snow-bearded leader of the caravan in his usual gruff, good-natured way.
The caravan's leader. Otherwise known as Kahli's father.
The young dwarf he spoke to grumbled something angrily at the elder and rolled over, pulling the thick blankets closer. "The ponies need feeding and bridling. The group won't wait. Get about your duties!" Old Nahli's only response was a loud snore from the pile of blankets. He sighed, rolled his eyes and delivered a swift kick to the lump. Abruptly the snoring ceased, replaced by a sharp yelp of pain.
"Ow! Stop, stop! I'm up! Lemme be!" wailed the now lurching bundle. After quite a struggle, the occupant of the bed managed to free both hands from the tangle and wiggle out of the twisted blankets with no little amount of grunting and cursing. A head of wiry, onyx-colored hair poked from the mass of thick cloth, both hands working to move the mess out of their owner's face. Dark brown eyes glinted as the dwarf's deft fingers began to works out the snarls and swiftly braid down the course hair. "There, I'm up. Happy?" Kahli snapped, mouth moving nearly as fast as her fingers. Her father's face betrayed his amusement at her behavior, as did the chuckle in his voice when he spoke.
"Very." He nodded shortly to her, grey beard bobbing. "Hurry with the ponies this morning. I want an early start if we can." With that he turned and strode away to supervise the rest of the camp as it packed up for the morning, trusting her to get ready. His daughter sighed grumpily to herself as she watched him go, but quickly finished fixing her hair into the usual collection of tight braids. She didn't bother to tie them; the coarseness of her hair and the tightness of the braids allowed them to hold without any sort of band or tie. Lucky thing, too. Less work.
Hair relatively tamed, the female dwarf proceeded to gather her things. Her bedding was tackled briskly, blankets shaken out and folded into small bundles, then stuffed into her bag. Truthfully she owned very little while traveling, so cleaning up her sleeping area only took a few short minutes.
A dark blue hooded cloak was snatched up and carelessly tossed over her clothes, pushed back and hood down for the moment. It was a custom of the dwarf-women to dress exactly like the men when out in the world. Strange it seemed to most not of dwarvish kind, but it was their way, as were many other things outsiders didn't understand. Something that never ceased to amuse her was the tales told, mainly by Men, of how dwarves supposedly "grew out of stone" since there were no females of their kind. This, of course, was hardly the truth. There were dwarf-women, like herself, but their number was few; only about one-third of the entire race. When the women were seen by outsiders, a rare occurrence to be sure, they appeared so much like the men that few ever really realized it was a woman they saw.
No sooner was she packed and ready to begin the real work of another day, a shout came from the edge of the camp and made her stop. "Hey! Will you hurry up and get over here? You always make me do all the work!"
Kahli couldn't help it. Despite her annoyance at the morning so far, a small grin worked its way out as she yelled back, "Oh, sod off, Oror! Admit you can't handle those ponies without me and maybe I'll move a little faster!" Cheerful low laugher was her only reply and the dwarf shook her head, chuckling softly to herself. She picked up her bag and tossed it over her shoulder, striding across the camp toward the area where the caravan's ponies were tied. With experienced ease she dodged still sleeping dwarves, bags, carts, packages, crates and multiple other things, finding Oror busily fitting one of many bridles on a short grey pony.
"Deliver or harness?" he asked quickly, not bothering to look up from his work. An easy job, she noted with a smirk. This pony was old Gormon's and a gentler, more obedient creature couldn't be found. Figures he would leave the troublesome ones to her.
"Harness." This response had come to be expected since it was what she always replied. Yet another of the many things that just never changed. How dull it was.
Oror bobbed his head once, copper-colored beard wagging with the movement. He finished buckling the bridle, saddled the grey, and led it off across camp to its owner. Kahli watched for a short moment or two, then hastily turned and got to work, knowing when he came back he'd be ready to deliver more of the beasts to their places of need. Her dark eyes scanned the area where dozens of ponies were picketed, finally coming to rest on one, a completely black creature with a nasty glint in his eyes. Kazor. The most spirited of the bunch. And the most bothersome to get ready. There was a long moment of hesitation before she sighed and headed cautiously over, movements slow and careful so as not to startle him. Worse than usual, at least. Might as well get it over with.
The obstinate animal raised his head as she approached, heavy forelock falling into his eyes and managing to complete the look of roguishness. Everything about the way he stood, watched her, flicked his ears, stomped a foot, everything seemed to dare her to try making him do something he didn't want to. Groaning, the dwarf shook her head, trying to clear all the embarrassing, painful and unforgettable experiences this blasted creature managed to put her through. It was just yesterday he completely refused to be bridled by her, knocking her over and tearing off through the camp to his master, the one person who could handle him properly. And, to make matters worse, his master was the leader of the caravan itself. Her father. How completely stupid she had felt! The one task he had appointed her to do, for the good of the entire group, she had managed to fail. One morning would have been bad enough, but it had been every morning. A horse, a single horse. No, not even that. A pony. She couldn't even handle that. Yet one more dull challenge in life. But… well, this morning she wasn't up for it. If nothing was going to change on its own, why couldn't she change things?
"Look," Kahli sighed, looking the beast in the eye. "You've bullied me long enough. But I'm not in the mood for it today, so come along quietly or else." Exactly what the 'or else' was she had no idea. But it sounded good. At least, it did to her.
Kazor on the other hand, wouldn't be so easily convinced. The black pony snorted at her words and tossed his head, once more daring her to call her bluff. 'Go on, then!' he almost seemed to taunt. 'You just try it. Go on!'
"I will!" she retorted, not bothering with what others might think if they saw her talking to a horse. Angrily she whirled about, marching over to the pile of saddles and bridles. Kazor's own equipment was gathered, bridle and saddle both decorated lavishly with gold, silver, and gems, loudly pronouncing the importance of both steed and rider. Though the tack was heavy, the muscular dwarf-girl easily managed the weight, stomping back over to the black pony to face him once more. The saddle was promptly dropped at the base of a tree, but she held onto the headstall of the bridle, reins slung across her shoulder with her cloak, keeping both out of the way. "Right then. Are you going to make this hard or easy?"
Again the stallion snorted, tossing his head. His eyes watched her closely to see what she would do as he danced in place, hooves drumming on the ground as he threatened to dash to the other end of his line if she came too close. Pure defiance was in his every moment. Kahli sighed again.
"Fine. We'll do it the hard way." Determination enough to match his defiance, she took a step forward, hardly surprised when the dark pony turned-tail and fled to the other end of the line that tied him. But she hadn't been moving towards him, she had been moving toward the end of the line, where it was tied to a stake driven far into the ground. Slinging the bridle she carried across her shoulder, she reached down and untied the rope, hanging onto it with a deathgrip once it was free. "Now," she began tersely, "we're going to do this right for once. You're not going to make a fool out of me today you evil beast." Even as she spoke the line was slowly being drawn in. Her movement might not have been graceful, dwarves could never be so even if they tried, but they were cautious and slow. When one worked with precious gems and metals each move had to be precise and deliberate. Now this skill came in handy.
Much to her surprise Kazor didn't move a muscle. His dancing abruptly halted, though he continued to watch her carefully. She kept talking, low voice softer than usual in a sort of droning monotone. What exactly she was saying, in truth, she had no idea. But it seemed to be working, nonetheless. The usually wild pony seemed almost hypnotized.
Step by step, minute by minute she edged closer, slowly closing the gap between herself and the animal. Her voice droned on, time seemed to stretch out, every movement was in slow motion. And suddenly she was there, no more than a foot from the pony's velvety dark nose. She froze, still murmuring to him, the shortened line held so tightly in her callused hands that they began to cramp and ache. Neither moved. Long moments passed, dragged on.
Finally Kahli forced herself to take one hand off the lead line and slowly grasp the bridle on her shoulder. Carefully, cautiously, she slid it off and held it mid-air. Kazor snorted and stomped a foot. Both froze again, studying each other. The dwarf took a deep, silent breath and shifted the line in her hands. Then she dropped it onto the grass.
Nothing happened. Another minute passed. Still nothing. Shocked but pleased, a very faint smile began to appear on her face. The bridle was taken in both hands. Again, no movement from Kazor other than another snort and a little flick of his ears. Her senseless words kept coming, more like a chant now, hypnotizing both of them. Intently she moved again, bringing the bridle closer to the black pony's nose. The back of her hands brushed his velvet muzzle firmly, letting him know she was there so as not to startle him with the leather. A shudder ran through the muscular animal at her touch, but he remained still, dark eyes still fixed on her. And then, before she could think about what she was doing, Kahli had leaned forward and slipped the bridle around Kazor's nose, up behind his ears and had it buckled. Then she stepped back, gripping the dangling reins.
The pony shook his head at the feeling and snorted once more, stomping a hind foot. But, unlike so many other times, he didn't try to break away. His ears twitched back, flicked forward. Where flat defiance had once been there now was wry amusement, toleration. Like an older child who indulges overblown threats from a cocky youngster. If she was that determined, he would allow it. Not exactly willingly, but he would, just the same.
It took a few minutes for all this to register in Kahli's mind. Time had been moving so slowly it took a few minutes to catch up. And then it hit her. Hard. She'd done it. She had finally managed to do what her father had done, prove herself. The breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding escaped her in a whoosh of relief. Perhaps today was different after all…
In what seemed no time at all Kazor was saddled as well. As strange as it seemed, the time she had spent coaxing the pony to accept her was rather short. When Oror finally returned from his errand he found her standing by a tree, stroking the beast's nose and talking quietly to him. And, much to his shock, the creature was fully tacked up. What exactly had come to pass while he was away, he hadn't the foggiest. But it have obviously been quite a bit.
"How…" he started, once he had managed to get his voice working again. Then he promptly gave up on that comment and tried again. "Did… did someone help you?" Kahli looked up from the conversation she was having with the devil- horse and grinned at him.
"Help me?" she replied innocently, her brown eyes sparkling with mischief. "Help me with what?" The other dwarf shook his head and chuckled as he started off to fetch another pony from its line.
"Never ceases to amaze me," was all he muttered in reply, busying himself with untying a bay filly before looking up at his friend with a smile. "Well, go on then. Seems you've managed to control that beast better than any. Save your father, of course. You'd better take him where he's gotta go. Don't know how well he'd take to me."
The simple fact that Oror had actually admitted (however subtly) that she could do something better than he could, or had accomplished something he hadn't, was enough to make Kahli puff up with pride. She had done it. On her own.
Practically skipping through the camp, she led Kazor proudly up to her father. With an added flourish she presented him with the diamond-studded reins, grinning at the shock that was only partially hidden on his face. The expressions on his companions' faces were even more amusing.
"Ah, very good!" Nahli managed to get out, desperately trying to compose himself as the leader of the traders' camp. He took the reins offered to him and nodded, keeping his face neutral. "Well, go on, then! Get the others their ponies!" The dismissal was gruff, as usual, but the old dwarf's emotions were betrayed in his black eyes, nearly hidden beneath bushy silver brows. They shone with a merry pride, a smile far more fulfilling than most. If she had felt proud before, now she was bursting.
"Righto, sir!" she barked in reply to her order, grinning one more time at those nearby before whirling about and running off to finish the morning's work. Unsurprisingly enough, the work left to be done was nothing compared to that which had been gotten done with. Again she swapped places with Oror, tacking up ponies or harnessing them up to carts as fast as her friend could lead them off to their respective place in the caravan.
Before long the day was officially started. Everyone was up, early jobs, such as packing, cooking and cleaning were completed and the group was scurrying into line. A chunk of bread in one hand and a piece of meat in the other, Nahli dashed about the camp, waving his arms and shouting at people do to this or do that, move here or get away from there. The last few dwarves completed various tasks and hurried into line, Kahli among them. Her own young pony, Copp his name was, shifted anxiously under her. At her side was her father, mounted up on Kazor, still yelling orders at those behind him. Everything was ready.
Finally satisfied, Nahli nudged his mount forward. "Move out!" he called loudly, voice ringing through the trees. Like some strange giant creature, the caravan heaved itself up and began to plod steadily forward to face the day.
Copp jogging excitedly ahead, Kahli felt her heart sink a little. Already the pride her morning's accomplishments were fading. And another day loomed ahead. She tried to push away the feeling that this was life, dull and relatively unchanging, but it hung heavy on her. Things would never change. Not enough to please her, anyway.
"Keep an eye out, daughter," the gruff voice of her father broke her thoughts. He turned to her with a nod, pointing ahead into the wild. "Can't let yourself ever lose your guard. Never know what a day'll bring, or what you'll find in your journeys. Every day's a little different, but you have to stay alert or you'll miss things."
Abruptly she looked up, startled by these words. Had he somehow known her thoughts? But already he had turned away, striking up a tense conversation with a nearby companion. Maybe he hadn't. Maybe he had. With her father, you never knew.
She sighed quietly to herself and yet couldn't hold back the little smile that formed. If they held meaning or not, her father's words were true. What lay down the road for any of them? Only time would tell.
^^^^^^^^^