#tayen lore

Javier and Tayen had been together for almost a month now, the two settling into their new relationship comfortably... well as comfortable as outlaws can.

They’d often eat dinner together at the fire, leaning against each other as they swapped stories or heard someone else regale them with a tale. Dates would consist of robbing stagecoaches or going hunting, and when they could manage to get a little privacy they would steal kisses in the woods: Tayen giggling and nervous while Javier patiently guided her through everything.

Tonight was a similar kind of night, dinner had been served (if you could call it that), and the two sat close next to the fire, leaching off warmth from the fire and each other. However, Javier also had his guitar in his hand, idly picking the strings, letting the music guide him into a little tune.

“Anything you want to hear me play, amor?” Jaiver asked, kissing her cheek which caused her to blush (as it did everytime). She moved away, shrugging and smiling.

“Nah... What about that one... El Coytito?” She spoke the name unsure, unable to remember if that was the name of the song or not, but judging by Javier’s smile she guessed she got it right.

“Ah si that’s a good one!” Javier laughed and situated himself at the fire, then he began strumming with earnestness and was soon filling the night with song. Tayen for the most part understood the song, her Spanish was getting better, but sometimes the music would go too fast and she would not be able to keep up. But she did not really care about knowing the lyrics, only listening to the beat and to her boyfriend’s voice serenading her underneath the stars. For a moment, despite being in the middle of camp, she could pretend they were alone, out in the middle of the Heartlands with no one around, just her and her amor, dancing and singing in the night.

The song reached its end, and she knew what was coming next. At the last strung of his guitar Javier let out a howl, like the coyote he was just singing about. Tayen joined him, her voice able to almost perfectly mimic the howl of such a coyote.

“Orale Tayen!” Javier cheered. “Do that again!” He strung the last couple of notes, leading her in. Tayen blushed, becoming aware of the others, but she shoved that aside as she let loose another perfect howl into the night. Javier’s laughter soon joined, “You sound perfect carina! How’d you manage to mimic a coyote so well?”

Tayen shrugged, picking at the dirt beneath her with a stray twig. “Spent a lot of time on my own... or riding... heard a lot of noises and I’d try to copy ‘em. It’s how I got so good at my owl noises too.” She looked back to Javier, expecting... well she didn’t really know what she was expecting. But him smiling like some lovestruck school boy was not it.

“You impress me every day, mi alma. You can do so many amazing things.” He kisses her cheek again, turning his head to the sky and releasing another howl, loud and uncaring.

Laughter bubbled in Tayen’s chest, just expecting him to do it once and then stop, but he kept going. And the howl was infectious, she tilted her head to the sky and howled along with him.

Taima snorted at the sounds of howling, on edge, just like her rider. However, Charles was not worried about wolves or bears or even cougars. He was worried about the men who had run him and Tayen out of town that evening.

Went in to get supplies, find jobs, the usual. Tayen, now eleven, had followed reluctantly and with a bored expression. He tried to keep her focused, asking questions or her opinions on things. Should we get strawberries or pears? Beans or peas? Do you think Taima needs some more feed?

But he could only do so much for the young girl before she took matters into her own hands and began wandering around the town. He was just leaving the general store when he heard the shouting, several angry men shouting at someone, and Charles had a gut feeling he knew who.

Tayen tore around a corner and bolted to him, practically skidding to a halt as she hid behind her brother, trusting him to protect her.

And that he did, he handed the supplies to her and told her to get them on Taima as he dealt with the five angry men, all accusing her of stealing.

“If she did steal something I will have her give it back-”

“Folk swing for theft! She needs ta be taught a lesson!” One had barked out, violence in his eyes. They were bloodthirsty, itching to see a hanging, and they were willing to let the victim be a young girl...

Charles acted without thinking, he saw one make a break for Tayen and he lunged, shoving the man back and kicking him to the ground. He fought off those men tooth and nail, taking hit after hit to ensure they did not get near his baby sister.

Then one pulled out a gun and he pulled his, a shot rang out and Charles was left standing. The surprise gave him enough time to leap onto Taima, where Tayen already was, and spur her off out of town, hearing the hooves in hot pursuit.

That was several hours ago, just as the sun was setting, now the chimes of midnight had heard and he was still going. He didn’t dare stop to rest, not until he was confident they wouldn’t be able to find them as he weaved through trees and rivers, covering his tracks.

Tayen was in front of him, fast asleep, leaning against him and mumbling in her sleep. She was getting big, another growth spurt in the works if he were to guess. Soon enough she’d be riding behind him instead of in front.