#rescuemiriam

"Her? what bitch..." A mutter

To August's expression, she explains in a low tone, "Chloe. She would whip him until he bled."

"Oh," Claire says, a frown, "World's better off without her then."

The puzzlement turns to looking aghast. "Oh." After a moment, he reaches out and takes Coradel's hand gently.

"Exactly." No remorse at all, and she pets Samson's nose. Then August takes her other hand, and she gives him a slight smile. "Well...let's see about getting a ride in."

He nods, glances around, and heads over to the tack room to poke around.

"Charles," she calls out to the groom at the far end of the stables. "We're going to take a short ride. Can you saddle up...hmm...Spritz for, ah, Clara, and Locke for August?"

Charles nods, "Sure thing miss." He's noticed his boss has become gentler, and he approves

"As for you," she says to Magnus. "You get Dolly." And she brings Magnus to the stable of a stout older mare. "I'll saddle her up for you."

"Well, hello Dolly..." A smile on Magnus, "Be gentle. It isn't my first time, but I have been hurt...before."

Claire facepalms.

August emerges with an English saddle on one arm and a bridle over one arm. "Charles, these were on Locke's blocks, are they right? Don't suppose you have a Western saddle around, do you?"

She laughs. "Okay...keep that attitude, and you'll get along fine." And she makes quick work of bridling and saddling the complacent mare, and leads her and Magnus out to the ring and helps him mount from a step. "Okay, get to know each other here in the ring...I'll be back with Samson in a minute."

Coradel overhears, and says, "I don't think we have any Western gear...." She starts saddling up Samson herself.

"Actually, I have one of my own, I would be happy to loan him," Charles says

"Ok." He takes the stuff he has to Locke's stall and introduces himself. "Oh... well, maybe Miss Chloe would rather give it a try?" He looks over to her and grins.

Magnus gets to know Dolly.

A blink, looking from August to Charles.

Claire is already working with Spritz, seems to know hwow to briddle and more herself

Mutters to August, "You are awful." Then to Charles, "I...actually have been considering Western. If you think it would fit Samson, I'd like to try it...but the less my parents hear of that, the better, understood?"

Is awfully busy tacking Locke, and leading him out.

"Uhm, yes," Startled, "Yes indeed," Charles agrees.

A western saddle is soon provided.

August joins Magnus in the ring and mounts up without the block, settling in and urging Locke to walk around the ring.

"Okay, Dolly, forward ho?"

((Hang on....))

((And on that note, switching computers))

((And back))

((And likewise))

Coradel asks Charles for any tips, and then heads out into the ring, hopefully with Claire.

Charles seems nervous about advising her, but does so.

Claire has a good grasp on Spritz, and genuine is eager to get riding

She actually listens to the tips, and as she mounts up and adjusts to the feel of the different saddle, she says to Magnus, "This saddle is new to me, so I'll hang back with you. Claire and August, you two can ride on ahead...the trail's clearly marked." A pointed look at August.

August clearly gets the pointed look but seems puzzled about what it was pointed at.

"Ok." He glances at Claire and gestures, offering her right-of-way.

Claire nods, "i'll try to behave,' And she rides first on the trail but does not break ahead too far, so August can join her.

.... and he does.

Magnus raises a brow at something, but watches as those two go, then looks to Coradel, "Are you doing what I think you're doing?"

Claire just enjoys riding, but she does ask August, "So August. Where did you learn to ride?"

"I'm not very subtle," she shrugs. "Come on." And she starts out on the trail.

"There's usually equestrian activities at Scout camps, and I got a badge in them. They were also part of required training at Alabaster Hollow, my home Freehold in Apples. You?" Politely.

Magnus follows, trying to brace himself properly, "Ah, sorry Dolly, I think I've got the wrong rhythm going. I'm not hurting her back am I?" then, "And no, it's not subtle but that doesn't mean either has caught on yet. They will though. I just hope Claire doesn't get her back up about it."

"Dolly's a big, tough lady. She'll be fine. And so will Claire." She gives him a grin. "I like her, by the way. She thinks for herself and doesn't take nonsense."

"Stand up in the stirrups for a moment if you need to balance, then resettle."

Claire responds, "For me it was part of my fostering. Sometimes it was the only way to avoid the spying of my superiors and rivals. I probably grew to like horses for very selfish reasons, but they are amazing animals."

"Oh, agreed."

Magnus tries that stand up thing,then "Ah, see what you mean. I like her too. You know, it was Sparrow who brought me up short and pointed out I was probably hurting her . Claire doeesn't like to show hurt. Too proud, but..." A guilty look, "Doesn't mean I should be more attentive. I was surprised taht Sparrow sideded with her. I thought she'd be like...well' A glance to August ahead

Claire says, "Does Liam fostering not teach riding or jousting by itself?" Curious

"I was fostered in a Dougal hold, but I had a Liam mentor." He explains. "At the Hollow, all Sidhe are expected to have familiarity with courtly matters to including horsemanship. I wasn't expected to be a knight, though. I work there as a scribe."

"But you're clearly a knight now," A nod, "How did you earn your spurs?"