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

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

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.

From:

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.

From:

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."

From:

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.

From:

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?"

From:

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.

From:

thisismyboomstick

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

"Good boy."

From:

gavesugar

For Sheila, it's - surprisingly enough - a more difficult enterprise. She has a skirt and a bit of a climb to deal with, after all. She gently kicks Gwen into a slow walk, her hands firmly on the reins.

"Excellent lady." Then, to Ash, "shall we ride?"

From:

thisismyboomstick

"C'mon, big fella."

Remembering Sheila's words, he tries to go a little bit easier on the horse this time. He seems to respond well enough.

From:

gavesugar

Sheila chortles, clicking her tongue and urging Gwen to a faster pace, first a trot, then a slow run. Within moments they're flying across the bailey and down the drawbridge.

She glances backward over her shoulder, to check on Ash's progress.

From:

thisismyboomstick

Well... he's managing to not kill himself, at least. It's a good thing the horse knows what he's doing.

"C'mon, ya little..."

Orion pays him no mind.

From:

gavesugar

Not dead, in Sheila's opinion, is the most important thing at this point.

She may or may not be giggling smugly to herself as they enter a large, flower-speckled meadow filled with sweet-smelling tall grass. Spring has just begun to come to life about them; the trees are budded but barren in the distant thicket. She slows Gwen to a trot once more.

From:

thisismyboomstick

As they slow down - he remembers not to yank on the reins too hard for once - he reaches forward and pats the horse on the neck.

"Thanks for not leavin' me in the dirt, big guy."

From:

gavesugar

The horse's nickering turns Sheila's hidden smile into a full-blown grin.

"La, ye shall soon be fast friends."

Pulling free a great length of cloth from her saddlepack, she tucks it over Gwen's saddle and starts gathering togethertheir brunch.

From:

thisismyboomstick

"I wouldn't go that far..."

He manages to dismount without too much fuss, giving Orion another pat on the nose for his trouble.

"Whatcha got?"

From:

gavesugar

She clicks her tongue. "La, do not judge him so harshly. Mayhaps in time...first impressions art oft not correct ones."

Well, he should know.

"Cheese," she says, handing him the cloth when he approaches. "and sausage, and a number of ginger cakes. I hath a cask of wine as well." They'll have to use their hands - sorry Ash, knives and plates haven't been invented yet.

From:

thisismyboomstick

It's not that he dislikes the horse, at least not anymore. It's just that... well, he's probably not going to be here long enough to form any kind of friendship with the beast.

"Sounds good."

Please, he'd use his hands even if they did have utensils.

From:

gavesugar

She remembers him eating that turkey leg with enthusiasm, in any event. "Lay out the blanket," she suggests, boosting herself up to her tiptoes to peck hi cheek, "I shall follow with the repast."

From:

thisismyboomstick

"You got it."

Somehow, he still manages to blush when she plants one on him. God knows why, after everything that's happened to them.

He gets the blanket down, spreading it over the nearest available patch of even ground.

From:

gavesugar

The blush is sort of endearing - she didn't even know a man who could ask her ~~chin~~ for sugar could discover embaressment.

She follows along quickly, handing along the wine, the cheese, the meat, the sweets, until she's able to post the horses and lead them to a nearby stream. Then she comes to join Ash.

Sheila may be sitting a tad closer than necessary.

From:

thisismyboomstick

It's not the sugar-giving that flusters him, it's the OMG what are feelings part.

He's not about to complain about her crowding him.

"What's on your mind?"

From:

gavesugar

Feelings? She thought he was clear about them in the bally, and before the entire castle.

But then he couldn't stop hugging her or kissing her. So now the feelings are muddled.

"Tis a fine day," she declares, which doesn't strike apon her true feelings at all.