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 Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007 2:42 pm
Welcome to the original birthplace of Virgil This journal is maintained by TawnyAngel  Height: 14h Virgil's Stats Skill level: 32Power: 9 pts Strength: 7 pts Intelligence: 12 pts Wisdom: 7 pts Courage: 6 pts Luck: 15 pts Speed: 11 pts Agility: 9 pts Adaptability: 9 pts Stamina: 15 pts
Personality: Virgil is a quiet Nequus not given to the displaying high spirits and wild emotions that are said to characterize Bae. He smiles often, though, and takes an enormous amount of pride in his position as Shaman Dahak’s slave. He believes in the supremacy of all Jala, especially Katilenuck, and doubly so his master who he loves with a quiet, fervent passion. He cannot imagine any other life than the one he has, and will be content to serve his master until the day he dies.
Location: Fyhi tel Oren
Vrigil's Tree is located in the Western Quadrant 
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Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 1:49 pm
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Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 1:50 pm
“Hey, you there!”
The white-maned stallion snorted and spun about, his eyes nervously wide. A small colt patched white red and blue was approaching him, a haughty expression on his brindled face. A Katilenuck. Where there was a foal there was a parent or two and Katilenuck were trained warriors. He didn’t want to make people like that angry. The boy was still approaching him and somehow he’d got his backside wedged up against a tree, though he only discovered this when he tried and failed to back away.
“You, you’re one of the slave breeds, aren’t you,” the youth stated, looking the adult Nequus up and down with his bright blue eyes.
“I...” He really didn’t want to make a Katilenuck angry and that was how the teared Jala thought of other kindreds. “I suppose I am,” the dark coated stallion said after a while, regarding the youth nervously.
“Hum, good good. You’d better come with me then,” the young colt said with a nod. “I don’t have a slave yet,” he went on, turning aside and setting off back the way he had come. “You will do very nicely I think; quite a coup for me, catching my own slave.”
The Bae blinked his pale blue eyes bemusedly; the tri-coloured boy didn’t even seem to have considered the possibility of not being obeyed. Not quite sure what else to do, the white-winged stallion set off after the feathered youth. “I umm... so you’re claiming me as your slave?” He wasn’t sure what to make of that. It probably wasn’t good news but he still found his legs carrying him on in the Jala’s wake.
“That’s what I said,” the Katilenuck’s proud voice replied. “You belong to me, you shall serve me and when we move to the herd lands you shall come along. That makes you my responsibility bear in mind; mother has taught me enough to know that a healthy slave works best. That means that you would be under my protection and, at the moment, I am under her’s and father’s. They’re both important people you know, especially my father. You should consider yourself lucky I was the one to pick you up slave... What’s you name by the by? If it pleases my ear I might even let you keep it.”
The wintry stallion paused. Protection. All he had to do was serve this Jala and he’d be looked after. He could probably be friends with other slaves and he’d be safe. “Virgil,” he said softly, setting off after the proudly stepping colt once more.
The Katilenuck halted and looked back with a slight smile. “Yes, that is a name worthy of my first slave. So be it; I shall call you Virgil and you call me Master, or Master Dahak.”
The curly-maned Bae returned the expression tentatively, not really sure if he was allowed to or not. “Yes Master Dahak.” He had caught up with the foal now and felt that it was probably a good idea not to walk ahead of the youth. He halted. “Where are we going, Master?” he asked, glancing about at their shadowy surroundings.
Dahak gave a satisfied smile to the larger creature and stepped out once more. “Back to my tree,” he announced. “You’re to be on your best behaviour to meet my parents and my siblings,” he added. “I don’t want them to think I’ve picked up some brute.”
Virgil bobbed his head in acknowledgment and set off after the feathered youth, careful to remain a few paces behind him. “Of course Master, I shall be sure not to embarrass you.” Today, the blue Bae decided as he was led on to meet his apparent owner’s family, was the oddest day he’d ever had. He knew that most people would look down on the decision he had just made but he was not most people. He had never really valued or used his freedom; all of it had been too much. Perhaps now, in serving the proud Dahak, he would come to feel secure and at peace with his life. To him that sounded like more freedom that wandering wherever he chose in the world trapped in a prison of fears.
“Don’t dawdle now.”
Virgil gave another tentative smile to the back of his owner’s head. “Coming Master.”
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Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 1:53 pm
“So... what’s this about Master?” Virgil asked as he approached the lounging colt. He was gladder by the day that he had chosen to follow the youth rather than to bolt; the red mountain really was a nice place to live and he took quiet pride in accomplishing the tasks given to him. This was odd though; his routine dictated that, right now, he ought to be out searching for the sweetest fruits to bring back to his young owner. Instead he had been summoned by the Shrila named Ochre and told to hurry along.
Dahak yawned and got to his hooves. “Come into the cave will you? It’s getting rather too hot out here.” He didn’t look back to check if the Bae was following him; there was little point after all. It would be like checking if water still ran downhill every three seconds. “Anyway,” the colt went on as he reached his spot of the cavern and settled himself on the bed of sweet smelling herbs and straw that Virgil made up new for him each day. “I called you back from your duties because I realized I don’t actually know much about you. First I know of you, you tried to back away from me through a tree; not sufficient history I feel.” He hadn’t really cared to find out before but, after discussing the matter with his mother, he had come to see the sense of knowing where one’s property had come from. Gave you a better idea of where they might be going.
“Oh...” Well fair enough he supposed. “Well... well there isn’t that much to tell Master but I’ll tell it anyway.” The colt nodded at him to continue and the Bae cleared his throat nervously; he wasn’t good at extended periods of talking. His soft voice, much though it suited his station as a slave, carried very poorly and then there was his tendency to trail off and temporarily forget how to start again. He’d better start soon though, he didn’t want to annoy Dahak.
“I was one of three on my tree,” Virgil began eventually. “All of us were colts, all one combination or another of the colours you see on me. I... well I was more adventurous than my brothers and I was away from the tree a lot playing and exploring.” He remembered that feeling, the feeling of not being worried by things, the feeling of confidence in himself. He missed that feeling. The Bae gave himself a mental shake as he felt his attention begin to wander back to that feeling, forcing himself to regain the thread of his telling and go on.
“One day when we were nearly ready to leave and go back to D’ob I decided that I’d better make the most of the time I had left in the area so I went off to play with a friend I’d made, another Bae colt from a tree a little way from mine.” Rikkie. His friend had been called Rikkie. He’d not thought of him in years. “We were out together from dawn until sunset, when he had to go back to his family so... so I went back to mine too.”
This was the bit it was hard to remember but he was under orders to speak of his history and he didn’t want to disappoint Dahak. “When I...” The blue stallion cleared his throat and scuffed nervously at the cave floor. “When I got back I found these... these big Nequus by my tree. They’d... they... they’d killed my parents and were just finishing off my brothers. They saw me and I ran away as fast as I could. I don’t think I stopped at all until dawn the next day.” He’d got very good at running far and fast since then, he’d hardly done anything else. “I’ve... I’ve wandered around since then, been back to my tree a few times but mostly I’ve just tried not to be around people too much. That’s all really.”
Dahak gave a yawn as the story ended and flicked an ear to rid himself of a bothersome fly. “I see. Shame for you, turned out well for me though.” That explained the Bae’s skittishness he supposed; his mother had been right. Knowing things was always good. “So what breed were they, the ones that killed your family?” the blue-eyed colt asked, getting to his hooves and making for the cave mouth with a mind to go down to a stream and drink. He still wasn’t quite used to the air here; it could be so very dusty that his throat always seemed to feel parched.
Virgil gave a shudder that had nothing to do with temperature and trailed after his master. “I don’t know,” he murmured, almost inaudibly. “I don’t remember.” He’d been too busy fleeing to take note of their appearances.
Dahak gave another shrug. “Oh well, no matter,” he clarified aloud. “I’ve no more need of you for now Virgil,” he went on as he stepped out into the sun and turned towards one of the streams reserved for use by herd members. “You may return to your normal duties.” With these words and a nod to the dark-coated stallion, he set off at an elegant trot to refresh himself.
Virgil gave a silent nod, a response hadn’t really been wanted of him, and watched the colt until he had vanished around a corner with a flick of his white tail. Sighing to himself, the Bae turned in the opposite direction and trudged back towards his duties. Somehow he didn’t think he would be able to focus on the as well as he usually did this afternoon.
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Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 1:53 pm
“Well then,” the boy says said to me as he swishes his tail at a fly, “report.”
I pause, nibbling on another berry as much to prove that I am not entirely his to command as to sate my not inconsiderable hunger. “Of course young master Dahak,” I say pleasantly, preening briefly at an itch on my left wing. “It wasn’t a very impressive tree to be honest with you.” Almost didn’t seem worth the trip; sometimes I wish I hadn’t suggested to mistress Undine that the trees of slaves be investigated as routine procedure. It really is a long way to Shrilal and back.
“Ah well, we can’t all be statuesque I suppose; tell me about it anyway,” the tri-coloured colt instructs magnanimously, reaching out to grasp a mouthful of rich grass brought to him not ten minutes ago by the one I am now to tell him of.
“Right,” I reply, sorting through the details in my mind, “I spotted it from above quite easily; the white leaves Virgil told me about are quite distinctive. When I swooped down for a better look the first thing I noticed was that it wasn’t the healthiest tree I’ve ever seen. The leaves were a little wilted you see, some of them were dead or dying too but there was new growth too, so I don’t think it’s something you need be concerned about.”
Dahak nods, a thoughtful frown overcoming his face. The expression puts me very much in mind of his mother when a difficult battle is hers to plan out. He’s got her mind to, and the mind of his father. He’ll never make a warrior, but if tradition would let him step aside and become a tactician, or perhaps if a second adviser was needed… Yes, if he gets to use his head rather than his hooves, this one will go far.
“Good,” he says after a moment, pulling me from my thoughts, “I couldn’t have him up and dying on me, that wouldn’t be good at all. So, what else can you tell me?”
Now it is my turn to frown as I try to remember the tree in greater detail. “It was… it was unremarkable to be frank sir. A little under average height, dark blue bark of average texture, lots of thin branches and white leaves as I’ve said… There’s not much more to be said about it, other than the fact that I spotted quite a few small animals living in and around it.” There is more to be said, but not much nothing to trouble the lad with; just my own opinions on what it all means. Let him decipher that for himself, I’ve learned by now that if a Katilenuck wants my opinion they’ll ask.
The young Jala nods at me, a slight smile on his face and approval in his eyes. “Well done Ochre,” he says as he climbs to his hooves and gives himself a shake. “I shall leave you to rest now,” he adds as he makes for the cave’s exit, “it’s a long way to Shrilal and back.”
I smile at his retreating back; that’s as close to thank you as I or anyone of my standing have ever got from young Dahak. Proud thing he is, but perhaps he has a right to be, it’s not my place to judge one way or another. The satisfaction of a job well done in my stomach, I turn back to the food he’s had brought for me and set about putting something more substantial in there along with it.
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Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 1:54 pm
There’s lots of people around here, and my Master wishes me to make a note of what I think of them. I don’t know why, but I’m not one to question orders. He's given me a format and everything, so it shouldn't be any trouble.
Nizhoni - Ichsa mare, non-threat, friendly to me. I liked Niz... It was a long time ago now, half lost in a haze of the worries that filled my mind at the time but I remember that she was kind. I doubt I shall ever see her again though, a shame; I think we could have been friends.
Espera - Bae/Ichsa (probaly) filly (will be a mare by now), probably not a threat, friendly to me. Again, this was a long time ago but I remember her being a sweet thing. I started teaching her to fly, but I had to leave quickly when her mother returned. Her mother's name is Storm.
Master Dahak - Katilenuck stallion, Shaman, my savior. Words cannot express my gratitude, my affection, my loyalty to this stallion therefore my entry on him ends here.
Eilir - Bae mare, slave to the herd, friend. I am fond of Eilir. We have many differences, not lest in how we look upon our position as slaves, but we seem to get along all the same.
Undine - Katilenuck mare, tactician to the herd, neutral to me. Undine is a very intelligent mare, and I respect her for that as much as for her stats as a Katilenuck. She currently plans to speed up the matching of myself and Eilir, and I can’t say I object.
Hera - Katilenuck mare, citizen of herd, neutral to me. She is Eilir's owner; I don't know much more about her than that.
Queen Savit’Taren - Katilenuck mare, Queen of the herd, kind to me. She is a most gracious mare indeed; she even had kind words to spend on me. I am glad this great herd has a leader such as she.
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Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 1:55 pm
Master Dahak often asks me where I’ve been and what I’ve been doing if I’m late, or not where he expects me to be. So… here it is then.
A touch of Spring – Nearly a year has passed since this day, but I still recall it more or less. I met a mare called Nizhoni, and she was kind to me. I got startled by a Rit, whom she befriended, but I think I made a friend that day.
Mother says – Another meeting from a long time ago, one with a crossbreed filly. She was forward but she was young, and she didn’t frighten me despite her horn. We talked for a little while and I tried to teach her to fly but then her mother came back and I had to run away.
Talk of the future - It seems that my master wishes to breed me with Eilir at some point in the future. I quite like the idea of foals, but I hope I get to know Eilir a bit better before our owners decide it’s time to match us.
A matter of heart - After I finished my duties for the day I went for a drink. I met Eilir in the river, and we talked for a while. She thinks I am very strange for my opinions, and for the affections I hold, but I think she likes me anyway.
An audience with the Queen - He did it! Shaman Dahak, at long last. I couldn’t be happier.
Just Dropping In - I was speaking to Eilir again today when we both had a rest period, and tactician Undine nearly fell on our heads. Once she had recovered her aplomb, she recalled that I was supposed to be paired with Eilir. She has decided to hasten this process along; I believe she wants one of the resulting foals.
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Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 1:57 pm
I've been encouraged to keep a diary, it seems like a nice idea to me; here it is.
Well. A first entry then. I am called a slave now, and I have spoken to others given the same title. They all seem to be unhappy, but I cannot remember feeling so good in myself since I was a colt. I serve an intelligent stallion of rank, and with magic no less. I do as he tells me, and he sees that my needs are seen to; I have shelter, water, food, company and safety and that is all I have ever wanted.
I am grateful to master Dahak, and I don't care what people think that makes me. I feel freer now than I have in a long, long time and I believe that I would do anything for the Jala who has brought this about. I love him, I live for him I would die for him. My master Dahak, from now until death, I am yours.
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Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 1:06 pm
Hum. It seems Eilir and I are now to be mated; Hera (her mistress) and master Dahak wish to have foals from us. Understandable; we’re both very healthy bae and who wouldn’t want more slaves? As to my own opinion, I’m quite happy with the situation. I like the idea of raising foals, always have, but now I’d have a purpose in life to teach them too. I hope, though, that I get to get to know Eilir a bit better before we’re expected to breed; I should like to be closer to her. I also hope that, when we do have foals, she doesn’t teach them to hate their position as she does. I couldn’t stand to see my children unhappy when there is really no reason to be.
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Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 1:08 pm
Today was a good day. Master Dahak was proud of me, and he smiled at me. In the evening I went down for a drink and met Eilir, slave to Hera. We talked, mostly about how I view being a slave and how I feel about master Dahak. She didn’t seem happy with the answers I gave her. I suppose she might see me a sort of a traitor, but I hope she isn’t upset about it enough to tell anyone else. I think that if a lot of slaves got wind of this life could become most unpleasant for me.
Still, I’m trying not to worry about that too much; master Dahak said he would look after me and I trust him. He told me a couple of nights ago that he’s going to be going up in the world soon. I don’t doubt that he’ll do as he says, and I can’t wait to see how he achieves his ambitions. I only hope that I can be of some use to him in his rise to wherever it is he’s going.
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Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 10:46 am
I could not be more proud. My master, Dahak, is now officially the herd’s Shaman. I knew he would do it of course, as soon as I knew he had the magic I knew he would but I am proud nonetheless. He will do much good for the herd, even now while his talents are still young. I am proud to say that I helped him some little; I was present when he showed his talents to the Queen, and he used me to demonstrate the properly. It hurt, of course, but just helping him would have been enough reward for me. As it was, I was also rewarded by the feeling of being healed. It was indescribable, so I shan’t try beyond saying that it was wonderful.
He is working on a patch of healing plants now; all different kinds that help with different things. I don’t understand how he knows, he says he sees it, so I suppose it must be a part of his magic. He tells me he will be needing a second slave now, now that people want so much of his time and that he has so many messages to be sent out all over the place. I am relieved, I must say, that he is keeping me on rather than disposing of me for being of too common a breed.
I shall see that when he does acquire a new slave, he hopes for an Ichsa, that said slave understands the honor bestowed upon him or her by master Dahak in choosing them to serve him. I will not tolerate sloppy behavior in his presence; he has far more important things to worry about that disobedient slaves.
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Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 10:53 am
I met up with Eilir again today; we both had some time off and were relaxing by the water. We chatted about this and that, she has some very silly theories, but just as she was about to tell me a really amusing one, Undine the tactician nearly fell on our heads. I was shocked half out of my skin, and i think the poor mare was very embarrassed. Still though, she shrugged it off before long and got onto the subject of the match that is to be made between Eilir and myself. She plans to make my master hurry up with it; I think she wants a foal for herself. She was a bit annoyed to hear that if there’s only one it’s going to Hera.
Still, she left to speak with my master before long, and Eilir and I went back to silly talk. When she had to depart about her duties, I headed back to my master’s cave as I had little else to do. Once I’d settled his bed for the night, I found myself thinking about foals. I do want children, I do, but before I came here I was too afraid to find a mare and would probably have been too afraid of messing up to actually get around to having foals. Now though I will have a purpose to teach them, and they will have a safe place to live out happy, healthy and productive lives. I shall have to make sure that their mother doesn’t influence them too much. I do like Eilir, but I must say I find her attitude to her position disheartening. If she would just accept it, I think she would be a lot happier.
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Posted: Thu May 29, 2008 9:46 am
Quite a lot has happened of late. Firstly, Eilir and I both felt the call to Shrilal; though neither of us have been parents before we knew what it was. I went at once to master Dahak, and he arranged for Eilir and myself to leave the herdlands under the watchful eyes of prince Aeolus and Shrila Ochre. We traveled for quite some time, but eventually we arrived in Shrilal at the base of a pair of saplings, just beginning to twine together.
I set off at once to bring food for Eilir, and OChre and Aeolus stayed close by to guard her and the tree. When the buds came through, Ochre left to take word back to the herd. There are two of them, getting larger every day. I am kept very busy bringing food for Eilir, but fortunately I don’t have to provide for Aeolus too; he wanders away from the tree enough to feed himself, and he occasionally brings things back to Eilir as well. I know he does it to ensure that the fruits come out as healthy slaves as is only right, but I am grateful to him on a personal level too no matter how improper that might be. I am very fond of Eilir, and i love our children already; I am glad to know that if anything did happen to me, they wouldn’t starve.
The fruits are quite large now and will probably hatch quite soon; I must I say I’m looking forward to that. Eilir will no longer grow weaker, we will be able to start heading back to the herdlands and to my master and, of course, I will be a father. I hope I make a good job of it, and that I raise the little ones to look on their position as I do rather than as their mother does. I should hate to think of them being so unhappy when it is possible to be so perfectly satisfied with the life of a slave. All I have to do is make sure they understand their place in the world, and all will be well, I’m sure of it. They will be fine slaves for the herd, and they will be happy. Maybe some of that will rub off on Eilir, too; one can always hope after all.
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