Chapter 14
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Matthew questioned as he looked the beast over. He wasn't afraid of horses, per say, he had just never ridden one. Being a spy in training, he'd probably learn to ride one sooner or later. He smiled at the large creature. "Hey there, girl," he cooked softly, slowly reaching his hand out to pet Cain's horse, and when she snorted, he pulled his hand away.

"Aw, she won't bite," Cain said lovingly. Unlike Matthew, when Cain reached out, the horse nuzzled her snout into the redhead's hand. Cain then rubbed along her neck to comfort her. "She loves going for rides. Don't you, Shallot?" He spoke almost in a baby-like voice as he spoiled the horse.

"Hm... I have a feeling she won't like going for a ride with me on her." Matthew knew Cain was a horse person; over the years, he had ridden with Cain on the back of the beautiful mare a few times over the years... but this was the first time the redhead suggested Matthew going at it alone.

"Sure she will," Cain encouraged. Shallot seemed to give him a look , and he narrowed his eyes at her. "Oh, don't look at me like that. It'll be fun." With another quick rub on her neck, he got her saddled up and ready. Shallot was a rather large horse; it was hard to mount her without a stool, but she'd learned to bend down for a rider. Now, however, she didn't, and she stamped her hooves impatiently. "Come on," Cain urged, scratching her behind the ears. "I've got a carrot with your name on it if you do this for me." Shallot snorted... and then started to bend to be within reach for easy mounting.

Matthew could only sigh as he watched Cain struggle to calm Shallot down. If Cain was having this much trouble, what would it be like for him? He wasn't too optimistic. "I'm telling you this is a bad idea," he murmured out as he moved closer to the mare. Taking one last deep breath, Matthew moved to lift himself onto the horse. Wobbling a bit in the saddle, he attempted to steady himself. "Whoa, there..."

"It'll be fine ," Cain insisted as he helped Matthew up onto the horse. "Alright, Shallot... Play nice with Matthew. Let's take it nice and slow." Even though Matthew held the reins, Cain had the lead, and so he could direct the horse as well. He started to walk forward, and his horse followed. She was energetic, like her owner, and wasn't happy to go at such a slow pace, but she only snorted in annoyance as she stepped slowly.

"Whatever you say," Matthew said with another nervous laugh as he adjusted himself in the saddle. Did Cain have to have the largest horse in all of Ostia? He held onto the reins firmly as Cain led both him and the horse. He only wobbled slightly in the saddle.

"How's it going up there?" Cain looked over his shoulder and grinned at Matthew. "Don't fall off, now. Just get adjusted to how she feels under you when she walks." Cain wasn't leading them anywhere in particular; they had a nice large field to walk around in, and he wandered through it for a little while to let Matthew get used to the feeling of being on a horse.

Matthew offered a grin back to his lover. "Its going as well as it could be, I suppose," he replied back. To be honest, he was surprised he hadn't been flung off. "So, Cain... Do you think I have the makings of a cavalier?" He asked in a light tone.

"Well... You tell me," Cain teased as he let go the lead and allowed Matthew full control. He stepped to the side as Shallot kept walking; she picked up the pace a little as she basically had free reign, with a rider who didn't know how to control her. She wasn't stupid... she wanted that carrot. Instead of galloping, she trotted, but didn't buck or throw Matthew off.

"Whoa," Matthew gasped out as the pace was increased a little and Cain let go. He kept a tight grip on the reins as he let the horse lead the way essentially. He glanced back at Cain. "Hm... you know, I think I'll pass up on that cavalier thing."

"Ha!" Cain couldn't help but laugh as Matthew changed his mind, and he jogged to catch up to where Shallot had led Matthew. "Well, I have to say I'm impressed," he mused with a grin as he walked along beside them. "Truthfully, I was prepared to have to catch you when she bucked you off. I guess she wants that carrot more than I thought. Don't you, girl?" He rubbed her neck, and she nickered at him. She wouldn't forget about her promised treat.

Matthew chuckled. "It makes me so happy to know that if you hadn't offered her a carrot she'd kick me off without hesitation," he grumbled sarcastically. He leaned forward a bit to give Shallot a light pat on her neck. "Well, I suppose in the end I'm glad I'm not getting stomped on."

"Hey, whatever works, right?" Cain shrugged sheepishly as he grinned up at Matthew. He laughed as he walked along beside them. As Matthew patted her neck, Shallot nickered, but she didn't stop walking. "Aw, I think she likes you. Want to pick up the pace a bit?"

"Really? It still feels like she's just tolerating me. But, I suppose you know her better than I do," he said as he looked down at her. Matthew glanced at Cain when he mentioned picking up the pace. He didn't much want to go faster, but shrugged. "Sure, let's go for it."

"Heh... Hold on tight!" Cain grinned, and he winked at Shallot who whinnied happily. After the redhead patted her flank, she took off running, galloping with incredible speed through the field while her inexperienced rider struggled to stay in the saddle. Cain laughed as he ran after them, but he couldn't keep up with Shallot's speed, especially not when he was laughing so hard at the sight of Matthew bouncing around on the horse.

"Whoa!" Matthew cried out as he clung to the reins, trying his best to keep atop the horse. It was especially difficult with his low experience, and the fact he wasn't expecting on going that fast. As the horse galloped, Matthew could feel himself slipping off the saddle, and with a cry, he fell off Shallot, tumbling to the dirt and grass below. "Oof..." He groaned, pushing himself off the ground.

Cain ran after Shallot, but he could see when Matthew started to slip from the saddle. Looks like it would happen after all... Gods, but that look on Matthew's face! He was still laughing even when he caught up to where Matthew was, and he bent over, gasping for breath. "Are- are you-" he wheezed, nearly in tears from laughter. "Are you okay?"
Shallot, after having freed herself from the rider, trotted around smugly and whinnied. Eventually she slowed and began to graze, swishing her tail as she chomped on the fresh green grass.

As Matthew rose to his feet, he attempted to brush the grass and dirt off of him. Well... that was a bit embarrassing. He only pouted in response to Cain's laughter, giving the redhead a light punch on the shoulder. "I'll probably have some bruises, but otherwise I'm fine. My feelings are a bit hurt though," he said as he folded his arms in an over-dramatic fashion.

Cain paused for a moment to make sure Matthew really was okay, but when he saw the spy get up with the worst wound being his pride, the laughter started up again. He doubled over, clutching his stomach, then reached up and grabbed onto Matthew as he started to fall, dragging them both to the ground. He was nearly in tears, and he rolled over onto his back in the soft grass. "You- you went flying! Just sailed right off!"

Though he tried to keep an upset pout on his face, Matthew couldn't help but start to laugh along with his lover. He even allowed himself to be pulled back down on the ground. He gave Cain a light jab in the side. "You're a big jerk," Matthew said lightly with a smile.

Cain's laughter was finally starting to fade away, though a bit still bubbled over every now and then when he thought about the shocked look on Matthew's face. "Maybe," he agreed with a grin as he rolled over on his side to look at Matthew. "But at least I'm your big jerk." He gave his lover a quick kiss on the nose.

"Yeah, you're lucky I love you," Matthew replied back as he returned a kiss to the redhead. He moved a bit closer to the other on the ground, softly chuckling as he rested his head on Cain's chest. "Maybe I should try with a horse less biased on its handler."

"I am lucky, aren't I?" Cain mused with a smirk as he pulled Matthew closer to him. The soft grass was comfortable, and the light spring breeze made the temperature just right. With a content sigh, he started to twirl his finger around in Matthew's tawny hair, absentmindedly playing with it. At his lover's words, he chuckled, and leaned his head so he could see where Shallot was; she was still happily grazing. "There's not a man in this world worthy of riding her," Cain said affectionately. "I'm lucky she chooses to put up with me."

"Is that your way of cheering me up?" Matthew asked with a snicker, though he couldn't be mad at the other. He happily allowed Cain to slowly play with his hair, watching the clouds go by.