[Siva'co finds his grip on his reins, adjusting his thick-gloved hands a the two of them trade minor barbs, apparently disinterested- mentally disinterested. He tests the mount like a thing pure machine- as if from a manual, step followed by measured step. He doesn't turn his attentions to them again until that faded distant memory is visible. That he does, body and mind, his face is hidden entirely by the hooded shrouded cloak but the feeling of his eyes is almost palpable, mind brushing just the edge of that thought, not pressing- despite their earlier meeting.
In turn he presents instead an image, a thought- a plan, seen from the outside. Something of what they have already experienced- easy to picture the way the Elin moved, the way the mechanical targets would shift, how the riders would navigate the press of them. Three riders chase the first target, the one that looks the most difficult to wrangle. Once they have it- forcing distance between the others with the bodies of the Elin a rope or crook could snag it all three could lead it to the edge of the herd, at which point one of them should be able to control it alone on the final extraction to the pen, the other two free to return to cutting out the second target. Two seemed to work, a nod to Rust's memory. His own confidence in his ability to handle a single gryer once it was loosed from the herd. It is not an order, nothing hard edged about it's presentation. Once it is done- seamlessly- he turns his mind to the question.]
( The main parties will be cautious. They will not want to risk spoiling their chances so early in the negotiations- [A somewhat unfitting word, but it was functionally accurate] but that doesn't mean they will not risk it if they think the benefits outweigh the costs. I expect this will become more true as some begin to fall behind in their performances. I'm sure the Hyrypians aren't going to make their choice based on this game, however- ) [there's a brief flash of understanding- this war, how long it had lasted, how long they have spent jabbing out at each other for each victory. How much pride was on the line even in what should be a simple, meaningless competition-]
( Now I think they will be cautious, but I suspect that will change. As for the smaller parties, some may be willing to take the risk for a chance to win an ally or route an enemy or simply out of stupidity. I am sure the Hyrypians are equally aware of this, but caution is still advisable. )
no subject
In turn he presents instead an image, a thought- a plan, seen from the outside. Something of what they have already experienced- easy to picture the way the Elin moved, the way the mechanical targets would shift, how the riders would navigate the press of them. Three riders chase the first target, the one that looks the most difficult to wrangle. Once they have it- forcing distance between the others with the bodies of the Elin a rope or crook could snag it all three could lead it to the edge of the herd, at which point one of them should be able to control it alone on the final extraction to the pen, the other two free to return to cutting out the second target. Two seemed to work, a nod to Rust's memory. His own confidence in his ability to handle a single gryer once it was loosed from the herd. It is not an order, nothing hard edged about it's presentation. Once it is done- seamlessly- he turns his mind to the question.]
( The main parties will be cautious. They will not want to risk spoiling their chances so early in the negotiations- [A somewhat unfitting word, but it was functionally accurate] but that doesn't mean they will not risk it if they think the benefits outweigh the costs. I expect this will become more true as some begin to fall behind in their performances. I'm sure the Hyrypians aren't going to make their choice based on this game, however- ) [there's a brief flash of understanding- this war, how long it had lasted, how long they have spent jabbing out at each other for each victory. How much pride was on the line even in what should be a simple, meaningless competition-]
( Now I think they will be cautious, but I suspect that will change. As for the smaller parties, some may be willing to take the risk for a chance to win an ally or route an enemy or simply out of stupidity. I am sure the Hyrypians are equally aware of this, but caution is still advisable. )