PSL- In which there are horses and, just barely, time enough.

[gavesugar]

The Wisemen are in consultation - where, Sheila knows not, but while they consult Ash has little to do but sit around and bask in his victory.

And she'll be damned if he's going to bask with Arthur's serving wenches.

It's her idea that they go riding, somewhere close enough to the castle that they shouldn't bump into any straggling but well-armed skeletons and far enough away that they may enjoy each other in privacy.

She is the envy of some, the baleful regret of others, as she combs the mane of her mare and waits for him to find her in the stables. He is something of a late riser, but she knows he will arrive.

Late or no.

Comments

[thisismyboomstick]

He's still really nervous around horses, city boy that he is, but he knows how fleeting his and Sheila's time together is, so he's trying to indulge her wishes as much as possible.

The few horses left in the stable neigh softly as he enters. He greets them with an awkward sort of nod as he sees the lady waiting for him.

"Hey."

[gavesugar]

Is he really?

She'd been so wrapped up in the mystique of his persona that she thinks he's omnipotent at this point, though occasional flashes of his humanity remind her of just how vulnerable he can be.

"Milord," she says, breathlessly, turning toward him. She's wearing her nicest dress, which looks utterly incongruous with the currycomb clutched in her hand.

[thisismyboomstick]

"Morning." The sight of her draws a smile out of him. Always the lady, but not afraid to get her hands dirty. He likes that about her.

Her steed swings its head around to get a good look at him, and he reflexively jumps back.

"... I meant to do that."

[gavesugar]

Of course he does. She has three nights worth of experience which confirms that.

Sheila giggles at the sudden look of fear that crosses his face - mostly for the release of it, mostly because of his ridiculous expression. "She is but greeting thee." She clicks her tongue at her mare, and the horse nudges her hand - she restores the comb to its proper place and offers her a lump of sugar. "Hast thou no beasts of burden in thy age?"

[thisismyboomstick]

"Our beasts all have engines and brakes."

Hesitantly, he offers his real hand to the horse to sniff. She nuzzles it for a moment, looking for treats.

"Guess you're not so bad after all."

[gavesugar]

"Hath horses been outbred by thy machines?" She automatically reaches into the pocket of her workdress, coming up with more sugar. She reaches toward Ash to hand them over. "She is a good and fine lady of noble breed, my Gwen. She hath been my mount my entire life, and is quite tame - she's lacking the fire of thy stallion, I fear."

[thisismyboomstick]

"Yeah. Some people still ride horses, but it's mostly for fun."

He takes the sugar and doles out a lump to the mare, smiling as it disappears in a second.

"The 'fire' that got me dumped on my ass a few times? Tame sounds fine to me."

[gavesugar]

"What a wond'rous age thou must have seen." Her other hand comes to rest upon his hip. "Art there machines that fly? And burrow, and..." his words distract her and she raises an eyebrow. "If thou wert dump'd, as ye so say, ye must have spurr'd him too hard. 'Twas Lord Arthur's horse ye were riding."

[thisismyboomstick]

"I... may have," he allows, never one to willingly take the blame for things. "And yeah, we've got all kinds of machines."

He reaches up and gently pets the mare's nose, which she seems to enjoy.

[gavesugar]

The mare nickers in response to his touch, shaking out her mane and whapping his cheek lightly with it - which is horse for 'that feels good'.

"Ahh," says Sheila. "How I wish that I might know what they resemble." Does he forget quickly how much he talked that night, how much they shared?

"Thy haste is beyond understandable, though I wonder if Orion shall let thee near him again aft ye called him 'hamburger meat'."

He's been practicing his story on her.

[thisismyboomstick]

"Would it help if I apologized?" he asks dryly.

[gavesugar]

She shakes her head, stares at his face in the sunlight peeking through the stone and slats that make up the stable wall. "Mayhaps. He's Gwen's mate and they art not oft apart. Perhaps we should ride them in tandem - unless ye prefer to share a horse."

[thisismyboomstick]

"Well I don't know about that." He grins. "but I'd hate to split up the happy couple."

Oh hello, unacknowledged feelings.

[gavesugar]

Hello feelings that totally madden her. "Aye," she sighs, turning toward the tackle beside her. "The constant thread of the demons hath made them stand shoulder oft."

She's borrowed a saddle from the smaller set of tacks - ladies do not ride astride, but the reason for that bit of baggage now lies squarely behind her. Gwen is good and stands perfectly still while Sheila bridles her.

[thisismyboomstick]

Awkward...

"At least that's over now."

He watches as she easily and efficiently saddles up her horse. He'll probably need a stableboy to help.

[gavesugar]

So goes their lives.

"La," she smiles. "I believe I still have skeleton dust in my hair." There's very little she remembers about the battle - only that she woke up on the ground with him offering her his hand.

That he saved her.

"I believe I have not yet thanked thee for saving me properly." This she cannot say while holding his gaze, so she finishes sadling Gwen and then starts filling the pack on the horse's back with a small feast, carefully wrapped in broadcloth.

[thisismyboomstick]

And he still can't think about that without a stab of guilt, so he deflects, as usual.

"You can thank me by helping me saddle up Old What's-his-name."

[gavesugar]

She thinks he's not the guilty type - any admission on his part would be a huge development to her. But he says nothing, and so she returns to her work with a sigh.

Sheila rolls her eyes when he admits he doesn't know what he's doing, taking Gwen by her reins, which she means to hand to Ash. "Hold her still," she requests, and moves toward the pen containing Orion.

"Watch," she instructs, and heaves the large leather saddle up.

Well, you already knew she was physically strong, Ash...

[thisismyboomstick]

"Right."

He takes the reins of the horse (who's a lot more fidgety with him than she was with Sheila) and watches her intently, partly so he'll have some idea what he's doing if he ever needs to do this again and... well, frankly he just likes watching her.

[gavesugar]

And it doesn't take her long - it's mostly a matter of getting a bit in Orion's mouth, he's always stubborn about that part of the process. Within minutes, the horse is saddled and ready to run.

"Thou must be careful not to spook him. He's battle-hardened but art not used to thy impatience." Arthur is not the most patient sort either, but Ash is more so.

[thisismyboomstick]

He hands back Gwen's reins and approaches the stallion slowly.

"Hey, big guy. You remember me?"

The snort would seem to indicate that yes, yes he does.

"I think we got off on the wrong hoof."

[gavesugar]

Sheila stands back, leaning slightly into Gwen's side, enjoying this little sight far too much. "Wouldst thou care for sugar?"

She doesn't pick up on her unintended innuendo until it's too late.

[thisismyboomstick]

He snorts a little at that, but fortunately he still has some of what she gave him earlier. He holds one out to the stallion, who accepts it with a grudging flick of his ears.

"There. Not so bad, huh?"

[gavesugar]

She's secretly relieved to be spared his sharp tongue euphemism again not intended.

She clicks her tongue at Orion. "Good boy. Shall ye allow sir Ashley to ride thee?"

The stallion shakes and flicks his mane. Sheila bites her lip, catching Ash's eyes, wondering for the first time if the horse actually does understand plain English.

[thisismyboomstick]

He at least remembers how to get on a horse, and does so once he seems like he's calm enough.

"Good boy."