Racing Dawn

Posted Aug 15, 2020, 2:42:49 PM UTC

Daius tribute for Usta 12289.

If you're curious about how I did the background, here's a little screencap of the SketchUp city I made.  I was too lazy to actually put rooftops on the buildings, but if I ever do another background like this in the future, I'm definitely going to spend the time to do that.

--

It was expected for the sons and daughters of Marcen's ruler to participate in the tribute to Daius once in their lifetime, a city-wide race held every year at dawn.

Victory was not a requirement, of course, but Ozan knew what his father expected of him.  He told himself as he led Usta out of the city rookery that he did not care what the king wanted, but even so, as he hoisted her saddle over her shoulders and tightened the straps his stomach twisted with anxiety.

She twisted to look at him, her enormous eyes catching the pink light of the approaching dawn, and he reached over to stroke her forehead.  “Well.  You ready?”

Usta responded with a soft cry, then lunged forward, joining the other stryx lined along the far side of the inner wall.  Ozan stared dead ahead, eyes fixed on the tower at the other side of the city.  He didn't think he could handle looking at the other racers right now.

“Ready?  One, two, go!”

Ozan almost didn't move but managed to force his legs into action as the referee whistled.  Usta, showing no such hesitation, raced on ahead.  He swore under his breath; if she got too far ahead, he wouldn't be able to get on her back before she jumped.

He put on a burst of speed, trying to imagine one of the grouchy old captain's windhounds chasing him, and nearly reached her when she spread her wings and leaped.

Usta glanced back at him and shrieked, perhaps in an attempt at encouragement, and Ozan lunged after her, refusing to look down.  For a moment he thought he wouldn't make it, then he was slamming into her claws.

He gripped onto the smooth scales desperately as Usta dove, picking up momentum and then pulling up to sail just over the rooftops.  He pulled himself onto her back; his arms burned with exertion but he managed it, slumping into the saddle and tying his harness cord with trembling fingers.

Just in time, for Usta cried only once in warning before they were dodging between rooftops and towers.  He looked around, trying to figure out where exactly they were when a great thud echoed from beside them.

One of the other racers had slammed into a chimney and sat, dazed, in a pile of masonry.  Usta ducked suddenly to avoid a stray brick; Ozan could feel it fly just over his head.

Then she beat her wings hard and they drifted above the rooftops; they were going so fast that the buildings passing below were a blur, and he could see the distant see shimmering on the horizon.   At that moment his dread shifted into delight and he found himself laughing.

--

Fullbody +5
Coloured +4
Shaded +4
Background +5
Tribute +4
Handler/Rider +5
Personal +3
Wordcount (453) +8

Total: 38 AP

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Comments

  • Jun 16, 2022, 12:44:52 AM UTC
    Oh god this is beautiful
  • Jun 14, 2022, 4:15:25 PM UTC
    The SHADING here! As well as the little bit of writing! It's absolutely wonderful!
  • Aug 16, 2020, 3:59:12 AM UTC
    Awesome Daius tribute here, can really see how massive Harpias are.
    You write so well too! The little narrative accompanying this piece was really engaging and the descriptions are so good, I could picture the everything in my head. Big Smile