-----"Ye've never ridden, I take it." There's little doubt in the Gorian's tone as he watches Whisper's hesitancy. Sol then smiles slightly as he says, "Well we won't be moving all that fast fer now, so this is yer best chance t'learn. Would ye prefer a quick ten minute or so talk on it, or do ye want t'tackle it yourself?"
-----Raven watches Whisper awkwardly mount the horse, but says nothing. The Hunter then starts his horse towards the river lands.
-----Turning his head back to regard the horse, Whisper shrugged in response to Sol's question. Running a critical eye over the animal, the Elf resolved to try himself. Though he was dubious, he could always ask for help afterwards.
-----Taking a slow approach, Whisper calmly walked up to the horse, and laid a hand on its neck. With luck the horse would be calm enough for his first attempt.
-----Although he could probably leverage himself into the saddle with ease, the custom seemed to be to use the footholds on either side to provide a step up into the leather harness. Whisper proceeded to do so.
-----Whisper seemed to smoothly rise up from the stirrups and eased himself into the saddle. The horse remained steady beneath him. He then found he was free to try the reins.
-----The others looked around at the lands beyond the woods. Off to the south and the southwest, two hills seemed to dominate the terrain about a mile distant. On the hill to the southwest, many shelters seem to dot it. Off to the west the land seems to slope down a bit into a valley or marshland. Off to the north more hills and plains are seen.
-----So far, so good. Now to handle the horse.
-----First thing being on how to back it up. Seeing no convenient way to prod it into going backwards, he gave the reins a tentative tug to the left to turn the animal. Using his feet to nudge at the creature's midriff proved to be a novelty, and getting used to moving within the confines of stirrups involved a lot of lifting his feet out and putting them back in again.
-----Finally, by comparing how the others sat on their horses, Whisper tried to go for an experimental forward movement.
-----"Careful, an' just remember not t'panic. Th' horse'll pick up on anything like that an' take ye fer a ride ye won't be ready fer." Sol advised, his tone devoid of humour. He then took the time to have a look at the countryside ahead, with most of his attention westwards.
-----After some consideration, the warrior flexed his fingers and waited for Raven to choose their way.
-----Raven looks over at Whisper, "You're a natural. Ready to head out Horse Whisperer?" Raven smiles a bit and then urges his horse forward as he starts to lead the party.
-----Slowly at first they start out toward the west. As they continue on across a great plain, they begin to pick up the pace. The horse that Whisper rides seems comfortable and undeterred by any uneasiness that the elf felt.
-----After riding for two miles, with the sun just beginning to edge from the top part of the sky, Raven pulls his horse up in front of where the plains begin to slope downward into a wide valley. Off to the south, they see a large hill with buildings crowning its top. Off toward the northwest is a large stronghold amid a flat plain.
-----"Are either of those buildings where we're headed Raven?" Sol asks curiously as he squints at the distant structures, trying to determine their purpose, as well as any possible occupants.
-----Whisper directed his gaze both South and North West, considering the habitations. The way the two separate sites were set out made little sense to the Elf. Fortifications, in his limited experience, were usually on elevated positions, and townships for the most part in the lowlands. This apparent reversal was... odd.
-----Adjusting his seat on the leather harness, Whisper frowned. The stronghold was off course and inconsequential, and the cluster of buildings was in line with their intended target of the Riverlands.
-----Snapping his finger once to get his current companion's attention, he pointed off towards the south.
-----"Right then." Sol grunts his affirmative, for once understanding what the elf sought to communicate. He looked a trifle impatient as he then suggested, "Well, Raven, perhaps ye'd want t'scout th' buildings out, fer they're going t'see our group on th' move if it's inhabited. If ye see what's there we can work out if it's worth dealing with."
-----Quickly Raven rides off with Rinda and Garrison following him.
-----Dilton looks around the area and finally focuses on the woods that the party left far behind. Looking uneasy, he croaks out, "I don' feel good 'bout being out in th' opening like this."
-----Strolum looks over at his friend and smiles, "What'ya talkin' bout? Ain't nothin' 'round us." The red-headed warrior takes a quick survey of the surrounding lands. Nothing seems to stir across the plains.