[ToxxicRenegadeAngel]

Eko || Rogir (Mount)

Eko shielded her eyes from the burning sun, as she looked out over the rolling dunes of sand as far as the eye could see. Here, in this arid land, grew some of the rarest orchids in existence, and she was determined to acquire some samples. Armed with her preserving jars (shrunken and enchanted for easy transportation, they would place whatever was inserted in them into stasis, to prevent decay), some supplies and her trusty mount Rogir, she felt eager to set out.

[1]

[ToxxicRenegadeAngel]

She saddled Rogir up and he purred as she paused to rub his snout gently. Together they had explored around the world, but Eko knew that this expedition would test them. She opened his saddlebags one by one, checking their contents. She felt a slight breeze, and looked up to see Rogir looking at her quizzically, no doubt eager to be off - this was his natural habitat, after all, and he was in his element in the heat and the sand.

[2]

[ToxxicRenegadeAngel]

Eko checked the first saddlebag, by Rogir's left shoulder, ticking off the contents on her list - multiple packs of rations, dried meat and jars of preserved vegetables, and water jars with enchanted filters, to purify their contents. The saddlebags and water jars hadn't been cheap, but they had proven their worth when they were in the swamps and Eko wouldn't depart on any expedition without them, especially as the bags bore an enchantment to shrink and lighten their contents.

[3]

[ToxxicRenegadeAngel]

Rogir nuzzled at her hair, and she laid a hand on his flank as she closed and secured the first saddlebag. The second one, by his left hip, contained their shelter supplies - a folded frame, tarpaulin and blankets, bedroll, fire-starting kit, cooking pan, salt and oil in jars bearing a cushioning enchantment, and a raincloud summoning kit - due to size, it would only summon a single small cloud over the area it was placed in, but it would be enough to fill three of her filter jars if she was in desperation.

[4]

[ToxxicRenegadeAngel]

She lifted the raincloud kit carefully out of the saddlebag, and it returned to normal size in her hands; unfolded, the mat would be the size of a small table top, and the thick silk cord tying it into a pouch would become the centre ring which would encircle the jars. She loosened the cord a little, and peered inside to check that the runestones were all there, together with the prepared bundles of sage and other herbs.

[5]

[ToxxicRenegadeAngel]

She tied the cord tight around the neck of the pouch, and replaced the kit in the saddlebag, before checking the fire-starting kit and tinderbox were full and intact. Satisfied, she closed and secured the saddlebag before moving around to Rogir's other side, as he followed her with his head and swished his tail from side to side. She rubbed his flank affectionately, and murmured that they were almost ready to depart, she just needed to finish her final checks first.

[6]

[ToxxicRenegadeAngel]

To his credit, Rogir stood obediently waiting, though she could feel he was becoming restless. Opening the saddlebag by his right hip, she confirmed their protective equipment was inside and ready - goggles, leather masks and robes for sandstorms, spare ammunition and gunpowder, anti-parisite potions (to be taken twice-weekly), revealing powder, and emergency boosts - these were only to be used in dire straits, as although they would allow Eko and Rogir to trek for three days without food, sleep or water, they would take a severe toll on their bodies.

[7]

[ToxxicRenegadeAngel]

The last saddlebag, nestled beside Rogir's right shoulder, was where she had all of her Orchid-collecting supplies, and Eko hummed with pleasure at the sight of the rows of little bottles, ready to return to normal size once they were required. Carefully, she pulled one out of the loop of fabric which secured it and unwrapped the cloth around it, checking that the tiny amount of soil and nutrients inside it were doing well. This bag also held her Battleheart hide gloves, pruning shears, sickle and trowels (round and sharp) to assist with specimen collection.

[8]

[ToxxicRenegadeAngel]

Eko secured the last saddlebag and turned to the baggage she herself would carry. Her wide-brimmed had had a long mesh drape which came down to just under her shoulders, in order to shade her neck, back and sides from the harsh overhead sun. Another drape, this one made of mesh, hung down in front to prevent insects from reaching her face. Her strong canvas trousers and shirt allowed her skin to breathe, and both were enchanted to keep her cool (though the desert sun put them to the test) and allow her to ride without chafing.

[9]

[ToxxicRenegadeAngel]

She tightened the various holsters she wore - knives tucked into each of her boots, thigh and calf holsters holding daggers of different sizes, some serrated but all sharp. From her belt hung pouches of ammunition, gunpowder and blowdarts, and secured to her hips were her pistol and machete. The bandoleer on her chest contained their first-aid, various salves, poultices, powders and poisons, and the blowpipe rested in two leather loops on the underside, smooth and brown and she fingered it fondly before moving on to ensure the wadding inside was in place.

[10]

[ToxxicRenegadeAngel]

Her crossbow and quiver were attached to the saddle by where her right knee woud rest, for easy access while riding, and she tightened the securing straps minutely before turning to her pack.

This canvas backpack was misleading, as again it would shrink and lighten the contents, though it would still be a significant presence on her back. She lifted the flap and checked it still carried what remained of her equipment - navigation supplies, star charts and telescope, quill, cushioned inkpot and bundle of paper, two blank journals, emergency clockwork lilysite, five full changes of clothes, emergency bandages, and bathing and laundry supplies.

[11]

[ToxxicRenegadeAngel]

Finally, she pulled the pendant which hung from a leather cord around her neck out of her shirt for inspection. An emergency teleportation spell was encased in the gem set into the pendant; if broken, the spell would teleport Eko and whatever was touching her to a ritually pre-set destination, in this case their lodgings in the main city from which they had just departed. It was a risk, as equally she could find herself leaving Rogir behind and bringing something dangerous into a city full of people, but it was a safety measure she could not do without.

[12]

[ToxxicRenegadeAngel]

She turned to the guide who had escorted them to the edge of the city, where the road became cobbled, then dirt, and finally dust and sand, and thanked him, placing a final pouch of Keystones in his hand as payment for his assistance. She watched as he bowed to her and turned back to the city, and then swung herself onto Rogir's back with agility most would not expect of her given her stature - they did not need to know how long it had taken to develop it.

[13]

[ToxxicRenegadeAngel]

She sighed as she settled in to Rogir's saddle (cushioning enchantments kicking in so she could ride without pain) and felt his eagerness in the tension of his muscles and the way he shuffled from side to side. He had his head, the reigns to guide him slack for the moment, and she patted his neck earning an affectionate rumble in reply. Though he bore an intimidating appearance and his claws and spines were sharp, he was as fond of Eko as she was of him.

[14]

[ToxxicRenegadeAngel]

"All right, big fella - let's go" she whispered, picking up the reigns and leading him into a trot forward. His eyes scanned the area for prey, whilst hers scanned for signs of vegetation - she knew it was unlikely anything valuable would be growing so close to a main city, but she knew better than to disregard the possibility completely. She smirked to herself recalling how she had snatched the discovery of an especially rare orchid from beneath her competitions' noses - they had literally walked past the specimen on their way out of the village in the Tengel Rainforest.

[15]