ride with me
The war is over and the great Kharlan heroes have come back to the temple to relax after two long years of fighting. Jane sits at her father's piano in the parlour and runs her fingers over the keys, feeling the cold marble on her skin. It's only mid-morning and she is already exhausted from working in the kitchens. There's a host of elves from Heimdall due this afternoon. They're on their way to Meltokio to try and negotiate with Queen Soleille. Having visited Heimdall often, Jane can easily predict what they will want, and she has met the queen. Nothing good is going to come out of this meeting.
"Ahem."
Jane glances over her shoulder at Mithos, who has just appeared in the doorway. He's changed since she last saw him. He looks older, more mature. He's wearing tall, brown riding boots, tan trousers and a loose white shirt tucked into his belt. "Milady," he says, nodding his head, and she can't tell whether he's trying to be a gentleman or is just acting like his usual, sarcastic self.
"What's with the getup?" Jane asks, turning around on the piano stool. She self-consciously adjusts her pale blue gown.
"Your father, the honorable Lord Provice, has a message to be delivered to Ithaca," he explains, leaning against the doorway.
"What, and he's asked you to deliver it?" she snorts. Mithos stands up straight again, looking hurt.
"I'm a good rider, you know," he says. "Better than you, at any rate," he adds quickly, smirking a little bit. Jane scowls at him.
"That was my first time on a horse, alright?" she says. Mithos chuckles.
"Anyways, I think you should come with me," he says. "The more the merrier, right?"
"Can I trust your riding abilities?" she asks. She's just teasing now, because she already knows that Mithos is exceptional, but he deserves it.
"Of course," he replies, holding out a hand. Jane rolls her eyes, but takes it anyway. "You can always trust me."