How little runners are made of.

Writers: Kaysea, Paula
Date Posted: 5th December 2007

Characters: Aivorn, Corowal, Luter
Description: While Aivorn is showing Corowal around on beasthold, they happen upon Luter and mating runnrs.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 7, day 3 of Turn 4

"Whoa! Whoa! Easy boy. Easy...." Luter held out his hand close to the stallions muzzle, allowing the great beast to snuffle at his scent for a moment. "If you'd calm down we can get you sorted." he promised, eyeing the mare that had been brought into the next paddock, being prepared to receive Striker, the stallion he was trying to calm down. This was the last time the pair would be mated before he took Striker to Green Valley Hold.

He felt, rather than heard someone approaching from behind, the stallion's impatient stamping also a warning. "I wouldn't come any closer." Luter warned, without turning around.

Corowal stopped in midstep. He never really been fond of runners, to him they were just a way to get from place A to B faster or targets for bets in race track. So, he was naturally wary on them.

"He's a spirited one, aye," Aivorn remarked. He was showing the Lord around the beastholds.

"And his get should be plenty spirited enough to win many races." Luter agreed. His hand slipped slowly along the length of the lead reign, until he was able to grip the halter Striker wore. With a few clicks, he began to lead him towards the next paddock. "You comin' M'lord?" he asked Corowal and Aivorn over his shoulder. "Come and see the start of your next line of winners."

"All right," Corowal agreed and followed cautiously.

"I'm sorry to see him leave, " Aivorn said bit ruefully.

"He'll still be available for breeding," Luter assured the Master Beastcrafter, "and I plan on introducing new bloodlines over the next two turns, now that I'll have the available land and stabling."

Luter grinned widely, still amazed that he was to be given the use of such a lush area to breed in. Payment in runner flesh as well as the extra crops they would grow for fodder, was something he would willingly do.

"Gentle Bess is one of the best mares we can breed him with. Her temperament mixed with his speed means the foal should be fleet of foot and a wonderfully tempered beast." He mused the other combination, "And even if the foal should take his temperament and her speed, you'll not see less that a fourth in any race."

"Well, Gentle Bess is one of _my_ bloodlines," Aivorn said. There was goodnatured competition between the master beastcrafter and Luter.

Corowal chuckled. "At least I know were to place my bets." He leaned against the fence.

"Iron Dawn shows lot of promise, he was sired by Striker with Golden Dawn," Aivorn mentioned.

Luter nodded, "Striker has been the best stallion my family has bred in turns. It'll be interesting to see how Shipshape, shapes up too." he said, referring to one of the other two stallions he was taking with him. "Flybynight had his first race last month and came fourth - so its bodes well for Shipshapes line."

He unlatched the gate into the paddock and Striker reared up, bellowing loudly, as he caught the first whiff of the mare. She stood in the paddock, held tightly by one of the stablehands. Even from this distance, Luter could see her quivering in excitement.

Aivorn nodded. "But he's got tough competition with Emerald Champion."

Corowal found the horny runners far more interesting than the discussion.

"Emerald Champion? Pfft!" Luter tried hard to keep the smile from his face, just waiting for the beastcrafter to retaliate. "Emerald Champion stands no chance against the Hornblower - so competition for Flybynight?
I doubt it..." he replied, knowing the tongue in cheek insult would find its mark.

He covered his words, and his smile, by making a lot of work for himself with Striker, his hand tighter on the lead reign, as the stallion tried to pull away. The mare had been backed into the stocks, and Striker was more than eager to get at her.

"Hornblower, that old nag?" Aivorn bantered back.

Corowal tried not to yawn.

"Old he may be, but I'll wager a sevendays earnings on him winning his last race." he bantered, "Can't wait until we have him to stud and see his progeny racing." His attention was taken up by the battle he was having with Striker as the stallion neared his mate. Rearing up over Luter's head, he bellowed his lust to the skies, the mare stamping and pushing back against the stocks as he did so.

"Hold her steady, men!" Luter ordered, finally allowing the stallion his lead. The lust ravaged runner reared over the mare, his fore hooves clattering against the protection the stocks afforded the mare.

Luter allowed himself the chance to turn and greet the Lord Holder, but hesitated to speak to the man, as he saw the thrall he was held in.
Like all newcomers to rutting runners, the Lord Holder seemed overcome by the open passion displayed by the beasts - Luter averted his eyes from the naked fascination the man showed the display in front of him.

Corowal found the two beast extremely fascinating. Way too fascinating.
He had visited weyrs few times, it it reminded him the one time he had found himself middle of mating flight. It also reminded that his bed was empty at nights. Well, except occasional pretty drudge-girl.

Aivorn tried not to laugh at the Lord Holder's raptured expression. He gave the beast to look just to see the stallion was doing his job properly. He was too used to sights like it.

Luter caught the smothered laugh Aivorn was trying to hide and winked across at the Beastcrafter, "Won't be long now." He nodded to the runners, but he knew Aivorn would realise he meant the Lord Holder needing to expend the arousal he himself would be feeling.

For himself Luter was rarely affected by the spectacle any longer, much as Weyrfolk would adjust to regular green flights around the Weyr, he surmised, though had never experienced the like, himself.

"So M'lord, hopefully this will produce a fine stallion of your own to breed from, in the future. Striker's get have won many races, but his progeny is prized for more than the marks that are wagered on them.
Strong stock - hardy too." he nodded wisely. "And I have a filly from Shipshape that will be ready for breeding with Emerald Champion by the end of the Turn." he glanced at Aivorn, "With the Master Beastcrafters approval - I hope."

"Of course," Aivorn grinned.

Corowal shook himself out of it. "I think I need a cold bath," he said humorously to the both men.

"Cold bath - hot woman, either one would do the trick." Luter winked at the Master Beastcrafter, surprising himself at his audacious retort -
and to the Lord Holder himself of all people!

"Too bad I don't know any around here," Corowal laughed.

"You're joking Sir? Surely." Luter replied, his head almost snapping from his neck with the speed of his head spinning to look at the Lord Holder.

"I've been too busy," Corowal sighed. "Now, if we were at the Coral Bay, I could introduce you to few friendly ladies," he continued with a wink.

"So there's no one here that has taken your fancy?" this was so strange for Luter, he could barely resist asking more and more, the Lord Holder was so unlike the old one he had replaced. So open and friendly, and willing to take an interest.

"Sure is," Corowal admitted with a conspiratory grin. "But the women of this hold... they're more cautious or something," he shrugged. "Must be the turns of being treated badly."

"Ahh, I see what you mean, but surely..." he didn't know if he dared to ask any further questions, "No, never mind." he shook his head, his attention returning to the coupling of the stallion and the mare.

Corowal didn't comment. He just leaned his chin against the fence's top rail, deep in thought.

~*~

"I want to know as soon as she's foaled, exactly what she's had." Luter turned to Aivorn, "and if you can sketch me a likeness? I'd just like to add it to his pedigree." The power exercised by both stallion and mare was overwhelming, but thankfully the coupling didn't last long and it was a more pacified stallion that was lead back to the stables.

"I will," Aivorn promised.

"I hope you will be pleased with the outcome of today, Sir." he turned to address the Lord Holder. "We'll be leaving next sevenday for Green Valley, rest assured you'll start seeing profit from the Valley in no time."

"Good to hear," Corowal grinned. "And one of these days I'm going to sit down to drink with you and you will have to tell me how in Pern you ended up with a crafter wife."

"I have been asked that on more than one occasion, Sir. And gladly will I give you the story, when we both have more time." he nodded in the direction of the still frisky stallion. "But for now Sir, with your permission, I will carry on?"

"Of course, Holder Luter. See you around. Come now, Aivorn, I believe you wanted to show me some little piggies?" Corowal said.

"Yes, my lord. The porcine pens are next on the round," Aivorn replied with a parting nod to Luter.

Last updated on the December 8th 2007

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How little runners are made of.