On the other side of the city, bedraggled and soaked after a housewife had disposed of her washbasin at an inopportune moment from a window; a tall man found himself dripping unhappily in the darkened streets. Uttering only a long-suffering sigh, he pulled his much-worn cloak ineffectively tighter around him, and set off to once again search out and apprehend his wayward best friend and Queen from whatever misadventure she was on now. He was headed towards the castle, for it was no use to search for her in the streets. And if she was indeed still in this city, he knew she would turn up there, for Kitiara could not resist the pull of the courts.

The lone figure on the lawn outside the lesser guard's barracks moved rhythmically through the patterns of his daily exercise, a weighted stave held alternately in one or both hands. Lithe, skilled, even graceful were all adjectives one could put to his actions. And it was by far one of the only times a person could describe him as such.

He smiled to himself as he heard the kitchen maids tittering, though taking care not to let it show. They still thought he didnt know, silly mites. But it wasnt for them he was there, feet soaked in dew, arms by now screaming to stop. It was in the mornings, before any respectable person should be awake, that the entertainment for the evening was inspected and the few chosen were brought inside. He knew her by now, if anyone did. And she would be with them.. Or, then again, she might simply barge in. He gave one last look at the main gate, still firmly closed shut as at last the sun stuck its crown blearily over the horizon.

He sighed, a most favorite expression, then went on and bounded into the stables, leaning his stave up against the wall. He was pleased for the most part with his advancement. From hungry beggar (a most favorite role) that the cook took pity on, to assistant potato peeler, to senior potato peeler.. And then, much to his delight, the Head Stableman rescued him from the motherly oversights of the cook. Happily ensconced now as a junior stablehand, he watched the comings and goings of the court, was ignored by and was pleased to ignore the guards, and was a major hit with the maidens (a most favorite pastime).

He didnt give the late performers any mind, for she would come or not today, and he would know one way or the other by the evening. So thinking, he gave a cheery wink to a milk maid as he passed, flustering the poor girl so much she quickly hid behind her cow. He wouldnt mind a new position, really, was his next thought as he eyed the massive stallion snorting impatiently in his box. It was all well and good until this part. These animals were huge. And THIS horse.. Well, his feet still stung from the last stomping.

Five months, twenty-six days and 9 hours after arriving in the city, Aubrey Shetan Chiosul was again in much the same state as he had been upon that night. Wet, dusty, peeved - and his feet hurt. He was now glaring daggers at the monster who had crushed his toes, tipped his water barrel on him, and generally made a muck of the man in charge of his grooming. "One more wrong move and I'm selling you to the meat market- head guard's steed or no!" he gritted through clenched teeth at the stallion, who just snorted at him as he approached with the saddle.

In all honesty it was really unfair. He hated the beasts- and more often than not they returned the favor. But he knew their tricks, from Kit's forays in Moonshadow's realms.. He shook his head of that displeasing thought, and eyed the stallion, who was doing his own size-up of the two-legged in front of him.

In one quick lunge, Aubrey slithered around the stallion, narowly avoiding a snap of his teeth. He tossed the saddle over his back and grabbed the girth, pulling it tight. Aub took a step back and surveyed the horse, then abruptly gave him a sharp jab in the ribs with his elbow. The stallion, surprised, blew out the breath he'd been holding, turning his head as much as the cross-ties would allow to lay his ears back at Aubrey. The man, for his part, had quickly tightened the girth further, and now stood looking at the horse with his arms folded, grinning. "Thats the oldest trick in the book." He informed the peeved animal, who stamped and tossed his mane as if he had had no intention of turning his next rider upside-down in a too-loose saddle. Grabbing the reins, Aub unhooked the crossties and tugged the restless horse down the aisle.

He was brought to an adbrupt halt as the stallion found something "tasty" - Aub's hair. The resulting inarticulate yell brought forth a distinctly mocking whinny from behind him. Aubrey whirled on the stallion (his hair now sticking out at odd angles), pulling the reins until the stallion was forced to lower it's head to Aub's eye level. He just looked at the horse for a moment, silent. And amazingly, the 18 hand, 1400 lbs Warhorse quieted, the only movement a steady swish of his tail. Aubrey did not like Transfixing things. Aubrey also did not like his carefully washed hair being turned into a spiky mess of horse slobber. The moment of silence lasted the space of a heartbeat and broke with the black horse half rearing, snorting wildly as it pranced in place.

But it did not come down on Aubrey's toes this time, did it? Aubrey allowed himself another grin (although the lopsided feature made him look daft at the moment, rather than his usual dashing). And spinning on his heel, Aub towed the horse forward. The contrary stallion took every opportunity to run his knees into Aubrey's lower back; but it made no passes at his hair, either.

Keeping one pace ahead of the bony joints of the stallion, Aubrey swung jauntily around a corner, whistling, still damp in places, and with one quarter of a mohawk. He did not envy the boy who would ride the warhorse in his practice jousts just now. But somehow, this didnt bother him one whit.

Aubrey stopped as the harpy approached, recognizing him as the warhorse's master. "Popular style with your horse." Aubrey retorted instantly, hazel eyes meeting Kayao's mismatched ones without hesitation. He assessed the other man quickly, then added, "I thought I might do his mane that way, seeing as he likes it so much." Another lopsided grin accompanied this, as he willing handed the reins to Kayao, assuming he was here to ride.

Aub's head jerked around as he returned his gaze to Kayao. The description 'horrified' would not have been far off the mark. This was not the next sort of promotion he was hoping for. "Scuse me, Sir," he said, hastily tacking on the 'Sir', "But I'm not a very good rider. Surely the training boys have much better luck with that." A half truth- for his dislike of riding had nothing to do with his skills at it.

Aubrey listened helplessly as the man talked. Young? I'll show you young, you wretched bird. Aubrey grouched mentally, keeping his tongue in his teeth to ward off any un-stable boy like comments. "As you say, Sir." he mumbled as the harpy walked off to the fencing. Aub flicked his eyes around the ring, noticing that the other horses being exercised had surreptitiously been guided out of the ring. Their riders were now perched around the ring in clumps, much like Kayao was. Aub caught the flash of coin as it changed hands. Great. He thought dismally, Theyre betting how long til he tramples me into the dust. He looked askance at the horse, who merely snorted at him. "Well then lets ruin their bets, huh?" he murmured softly to Piruz, a smoldering look in his hazel eyes.

Aubrey shunned the mounting block, leaping into the saddle from the ground before the horse even realized what he was trying. This was a feat in itself, for the 18 hand high warhorse was no child's pony. From the moment Aubrey settled into the saddle, the onlookers were forgotten and ignored. Aubrey was not the only one concentrating. Piruz had laid his ears flat, unsure of himself. The training boys were skittish, easily thrown and frightened- and he, like all warhorses, was trained to only respond to one master. But there was a man on his back now that felt like a master, a man who had bested all his stable tricks without a touch of the lash. Grateful as he was for that kindness, he was still a warhorse- and there was his true master, on the railing.

Piruz half reared, and almost instantly charged forward to come to a sudden halt, the motion meant to crack the human's nose against his neck. But no such impact came, and the reins still held tight, telling him to turn to the right. Piruz swung left, his hooves pounding the sand as he raced around the track, then bucked, his powerful hindquarters trying to toss the man over his head, where Piruz could proceed to stomp on him, this impudent two-legged. But the weight stayed in the saddle- and there came that insistent tug to the right. Piruz let out a ear-piercing scream, the whinny of a stallion fighting. He whipped himself around in tight circles, dizzying the man who rode him, and tried again, rearing up and then bucking repeatedly. Still the man stayed, pulling his head to the right. Pirez was breathing hard, now, his eyes showing white as they roved the ring. Then suddenly he leapt forward again, the sand whipping behind him as he churned it up. The fence, the fence. He felt the tugging on his reins to stop, but had taken the bit in his teeth and was stopping for noone. This would get that pest off his back. Wood splintered as Piruz turned his body sideways at the last moment, smashing Aubrey's leg into the fencing. He bucked then, sure the human would go flying.

As the dust settled, horse and rider became clear next to the warped fence. Piruz's legs were splayed, his head down, exhausted. But Aubrey, head down, teeth gritted against the pain, still sat firmly in the saddle. There was a stunned hush around the ring as the rider lifted his head. Glaring defiance at all and sundry, Aubrey sat panting, then tugged to the right. Piruz moved right.

Aubrey guided Piruz to the corral's gates, then swung his undamaged leg over the saddle. He scowled so ferociously at the stableboy who came up to assist him that the kid backed off, nervously blending back into the crowd of stablehands who were half applauding and still half stunned. Piruz, for his part, had grudgingly accepted this strange man as a sort of stand-in for Kayao. Aubrey sucked in his breath as he hit the ground, his right leg refusing to take his weight. Another boy came forward as Aubrey stumbled, again Aubrey refused his help, throwing an arm instead around Piruz's neck. Still pointedly ignoring those who'd betted on failure, man and stallion left the ring.

Aubrey spared a glance for the harpy alone, wondering silently to himself if he'd passed that man's test- for it had been nothing less, and he knew it. Aubrey continued then, limping along as Piruz supported most of his weight. "Carrots," he murmured quietly out of the side of his mouth, "Carrots and sugar cubes if you just dont drop me on my ass right now." Piruz nickered softly, lipping at the man's shirt. "After we get back to your stall you big bully." Piruz seemed satisfied by this, and the odd pair disappeared into the stable.

Once out of immediate sight, Aubrey leaned much more heavily on the warhorse, and his expression cleared, pain becoming the dominant emotion. Why couldnt Kitiara ever pick a good ol' abyssal city? One where he could be himself? Because that was never the point, he reminded himself with a sigh. There was something here she wanted, as usual, and it probably had to do with a book. Aub gave a weak chuckle, shrugging. It was never boring, tracking her around the kingdoms at least. Aubrey halted next to Piruz's stall, considering a moment. Awkwardly half-hopping around the animal, he removed the bridle, slipping Piruz's halter on so he could hook a crosstie to him, preventing any sudden escape plans. That done, Aub sank down on a tack chest, exhausted. He had no intention of stabling Piruz without cleaning him off, though- the horse's flanks were flecked with sweat and he was covered in dust.

But.. in a moment. Aub fished a fairly squashed apple from his pocket, nabbed that morning out of the kitchens. He offered the tidbit to Piruz, who stood happily munching his treat while Aub leaned back against the stable wall, turning his attention to his leg. Well, it was broken, no doubt about that. He moved it carefully, hissing in pain as he lightly ran his hand over the mangled limb, finding the second break. Well, no help for it, he'd have to find a healer somewhere - and fast, too, before his body's natural healing process took over and he was left to explain it.

Aubrey lifted his head to blink at the other man, studiously looking over his shoulder as the man poked his leg. That hurt, blast it. He smiled weakly at the news of a surgeon coming. Good good.. Other men? Aubrey's eyes tracked to the stallion, whuffling around his hooves for any missed bits of apple. Funny, but the damn horse smashing his leg seemed to have affected his brain, because he could have sworn the horse had snickered at that comment. Aubrey looked back to Kayao, banishing evil horses and their unlucky riders from his mind as he took the others hand to lever himself up. "Well, sir," he tone rather wry, "If its all the same to you, I'd like to know what you intend on promoting me to this time." His eyes crinkled at the edges, the by-now familiar grin appearing a moment later.

Though rare in human kingdoms, it happened sometimes as now, that Aub would meet an individual he genuinely liked. Without batting an eyelash, Aubrey continued his small coverups, though he always would wish to meet this man as his equal, rather than his groom. "You'd be right there, Sir, I'm not a native here- and I havent bothered much with all the fancy names." Though Aubrey, unlike Kit, had known the native tongue before arriving (courtesy of a traveling shaman once), this was true. Aub couldnt resist languages, but he spoke all of them with a very hard to place accent, almost lyrical at times. And he tended to care not a single whit for chains of command.

As he eased himself into the chair Aubrey kept his gaze steady on Kayao, only a thin crease in his brow showing discomfort at the moment. What immortal? I am NOT fighting- hold on, arent they all extinct anyways? Aubrey's eyes reflected nothing of these particular thoughts, glossing over it as if he hadnt noticed. "I might not like riding, but my whole.. family.. are great horsefolk. I used to help break in the unruly ones."

Aubrey listened carefully, his own thoughts whirring as he did. How much to tell? Kit wasnt here yet- this game was his own still. He grinned at Kayao's dislike of being called bird.. How about i call you sparrow? Although this made him want to say it more. He often got in trouble with his own 'family' for this. He simply laughed at most of life (and most of the people in it), where those around him tried to bring lifes twists under their control. It made him a great leader of his own kind, but also a frustrating one. You wouldnt believe me if I told you who I was... Aub thought with a tinge of amusement.

"Just simply Aubrey suits me fine." He responded after a beat of silence, "I come from lands to the north- cold lands with none of this simpering about in silks." The last comment was rueful, his eyes following a dissapearing skirt at the far end of the hall. What he didnt add, was that when he came from was simply eons ago. He was older even than his little wraith queen, and that was saying something. With age came power for him and his kin, and he had quite a bit of both.

Aubrey's brow knitted as his leg twinged. He hoped whoever Kayao had sent got here soon- there was only so much time before he couldnt stop his own healing. (The fact that he could delay it at all was impressive.)

"I like the heat alright," Aubrey smiled slightly before adding wryly, "Its your intense sun I'm finding hard on the eyes." Aubrey's easy-going tangent came to a quiet halt as the lady entered. Aub arched an eyebrow at Kayao's instant increase of formality, looking back at the approaching woman with a bit more interest. Enough status to make even the harpy straighten up! Aub laughed to himself inwardly, and his eyes crinkled slightly as they did when he found something amusing. He watched their exchange quietly.

They both used a slightly altered form of the land's common tongue, and Aubrey guessed it was the variant spoken by Royalty and their court. He had trouble with a few of the words, but on the whole followed their conversation easily. As the woman kneeled at his feet Aub's hands balled themselves into fists on the arms of the chair he was sitting in. And as she bent to her task, his eyes fixated on a point above her shoulder.

While there was pain, Aub's face stayed carefully blank, looking off to the right. As she uttered soft words though, he looked back at them both, the relief palpable in his voice and posture, which had instantly slumped back into the chair. His bones knit under her touch- and if she was paying attention, she would have found it unusual that his wounds hadnt fought healing at all, almost as if they were trying to on their own."That feels a lot better, I thank you." Aub said to Afareen, looking down at her, wondering if she had known what she healed.

Aubrey's eyebrows lifted at Kayao, but he didnt comment as he stood to his feet. Gingerly he hopped onto his right leg, and grinned widely when it gave no trouble. Aub followed Kayao out, watching many people out of the corners of his eyes as they exited the hall. "I have to live in the palace?" there was a definite odd note to the way he phrased that, as if it was more of a chore than a privilege. He moved at an easy loping pace as he followed Kayao through the halls, marking the turns on a mental map.