Awkwardface! +543
Skoll grinned broadly as the wind whipped through his messy blonde mane, his tongue lolling from his jaws as the mare galloped underneath him. His hands remained tight around the reins, his torso pressed low, but he might have been standing on her back and whooping for how excited he felt. His mount’s hooves ate up the distance to the chosen meeting point, sending up dust as they pounded into the salty grass of the coast, although they were only going at a strong canter. He didn’t feel comfortable enough with a full-out gallop yet, for once taking something in his life slowly and carefully, but the bond between horse and rider was growing more each day they went out.
There was a destination in mind this time, however, and rather than let her run wildly in whatever directions he chose, he guided her toward the chosen patch of land between Cour des Miracles and Casa di Cavalieri. When they were close, he slowed her down bit by bit, until they walked with the horse breathing deep underneath him. He remained excited, though, his tail wagging even as he carried himself with upright, princely posture. He looked like a young knight riding out on his palfrey than the boisterous child he still was, moving along on the mare he considered sidekick more than steed.
The little lessons with the other young wolfdog had helped Skoll socially more than anything else. There had been some exchange of information, mostly in the way they felt the other’s four-legged bodies react while trying to mimic the moves, but he looked at Adelle as a friend to visit rather than a real sparring partner or teacher. They’d still been children, but now he felt more like a grownup, especially at his respectable height on Hwin’s back. He patted her neck as they came closer, and she snorted as she smelled another horse, shying momentarily before he whispered comforting words to her.
Stepping down from the sidle, the squire led Hwin on foot the rest of the way. When they came into the cleared space, he spied the other horse—a light bay stallion—and patted Hwin on the nose gently. He removed her bridle and hobbled her so she could graze but not wander too far, going through the motions clumsily but successfully. As she offered the stallion a shy greeting, standing a good distance away, he turned his head to find the girl in the center of the miniature arena.
Brows lifted over curious green eyes, and Skoll approached her. It was the first time he’d seen her on two legs, and she looked suddenly older than him, more formidable. It was a bit overwhelming, and he tried not to stare too much as he greeted her. “Good to see you.” He rubbed the back of his neck, feeling naked compared to the protective leather she wore. He didn’t have any weapons or armor, and he’d been expecting another bout of play-fighting—hand-to-hand and useful if polished, but more of a way to pass time rather than the serious training he hadn’t thought much of.
Feeling like a child, the young teen smiled awkwardly. “Where the heck do we start?” he asked with a clumsy laugh.
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