After an hour of torture at the hands of Allaria's servants, Jon set out to find Lisosia. I do look good, he thought -- then recoiled at the thought. I've got to get out of here.
Nevertheless, it was true. Lisosia had invited him to go riding today, and that meant the clothes would be far more practical than yesterday's formal wear. The bare midriff was back, between a skimpy, sleeveless top and a short, split skirt that would at least let him avoid riding side-saddle. His hair was tied into an elaborate braid, hopefully short enough to stay out of the way. He just hoped Allaria would take over for the riding. He certainly didn't know the first thing about it.
"There you are! Right on time, Allaria!" smiled Lisosia as Jon reached the stables. She was dressed in pants and a short-sleeved blouse. Jon envied her the much less skin she showed, but she still looked great. She was leading a pair of horses, one with a saddle and one without. "I know you elves ride bareback. Personally, I don't know how you do it."
Yeah, neither do I. "It takes practice, but it allows us a greater sense of the animal."
Uncertainly, he took the offered reins and stood in front of the unsaddled horse. Lisosia watched expectantly. Jon wasn't sure what to do, but he noticed he had unconciously taken a step to the horse's side and tensed his legs. Here goes nothing. Without even the help of a footstool or stirrup, he leaped onto the horse.
He landed perfectly on its back. Before he could pause to wonder at this, he had reflexively kicked the horse's sides and taken off. Not for the first time, he had the sense that Allaria was in control and he was just along for the ride. But it was far stronger this time as Allaria's muscle memory took over. He also had the distinct impression of each of the horse's hooves striking the ground, and wondered about that "greater sense of the animal." He didn't have much to compare it to, but he suspected a human rider wouldn't feel it so vividly.
He drew on the reins to slow down and turn back toward the stable. Lisosia, now on her own horse, caught up and smiled. "You elves are remarkable. It will be wonderful to have you in our family." Jon wasn't so sure about that, but smiled politely.
Lisosia started her horse trotting again. "I'm so happy to get away, even if it's only for the morning. When I'm at the castle, it's just protocol, protocol, protocol. Don't you ever feel like you're just stuck reading lines written by someone else?"
"An uncannily accurate description," said Jon.
They galloped off, with two bodyguards following at a discrete distance.
