Riding Lessons

##### Written by Susie

She had barely slept at all the previous night, she had been waved off by Mara sometime around midnight - desperate herself to get some rest, exhausted by the onslaught of questions from her little sister. You see, Myria wasn’t afraid of the horses, she just had questions. Questions like, “how big do you think my mount will be?”, “do you think it will like me?”, and “if I fell, would I die?”

    Mara had tried her best to answer these questions, and more, but as the night grew longer, her patience grew shorter. She had assured Myria that she would be fine, that she had no cause to be afraid. Which earned her an incredulous look, and a snap of “I’m not afraid of anything!” from the little girl.

    And so the morning came. Myria was woken early and dressed in simple, yet fine, riding clothes, and was lead out into the yard where her mount, and Ser Olyver, were waiting for her.

    Olyver smiled as she approached, tugging on her little riding gloves. “My lady, “ he bowed, “you look like a horsemaster already! Perhaps it will be you who will be teaching me today.”

    Myria giggled as he winked and offered her his hand.

    “Today, we’ll start together. I will sit behind you, as we’ve done many times, but it is you who will hold the reins.” He lifted her gently into the saddle before swinging himself up behind her.(edited)

They took a few turns around the yard, Olyver instructing her how to properly control the horse and how to read the animal’s disposition and mood. He stressed to her the importance of staying calm and trusting in both herself and the animal beneath her. She took onboard all he said with a determined nod and a smile as he praised her.

    “I think I’m ready to ride on my own,” she said as she firmly grasped the reins in her right hand and petted the horse’s neck with her left.

“A horsemaster indeed!” Olyver cheered, as he dismounted.

    The sudden absence of him from behind her sent a wave of panic through her. She was so high up. She no longer felt as confident, as secure, as safe. She wobbled slightly in the saddle, gripping the reins tightly. He held out a reassuring hand,

    “Easy now. Remember, it is you who are in control. Take a breath. Trust yourself, my lady. I know that you can do this.

    She gulped, took a deep breath, and steadied herself before spurring her mount on. Her first steps were tentative, hesitant, daring to do nothing more than walk the horse to the end of the yard and back. But soon her confidence grew, and the walk turned to a trot, and then a canter.

    Myria laughed as the wind rushed through her hair, and she felt the power of the chestnut mare beneath her. She turned to find Olyver in the yard, accidentally pulling at the reins as she lifted herself up, sending the horse into a gallop. Not expecting the sudden burst of speed, Myria was sent tumbling from the steed, letting out a small scream as she fell.

“Myria!” A cry rang out across the yard, but it was not Olyver’s voice that she heard. She looked up as strong arms encircled her to see her father, Lord Lucos Greenmont, looking down at her, his brow furrowed with worry. A sharp pain lanced through her arm, and she let out a whimper, tears streaming down her little cheeks.

    Lucos pressed a kiss to her head, “shh now, you’re alright. I’ve got you.” He gently lifted her in his arms and walked towards the main house, Olyver close behind.

    'A broken arm', they said. 'No more riding lessons until she was older', she heard her father scold Olyver. But Myria smiled as she remembered how the wind rushed through her hair,k she remembered the pounding of her heart matching the beating of the horse’s hooves, and she remembered how free she felt.