Swords and Horses (DORA)

[ALERIS THAIN ATWAN]

Training was much different in Ferdis as compared to back in the Imperial city, there he had used magic to make the dummy's and things fight back, but in Ferdis it was not so much in favor to do such a thing, so he had to fight the dummy's by themselves or another soldier or two would volunteer. That had come to an almost stop now though, as they seemed to get too worn out from Aleris' workouts. He insisted on going full out, otherwise what was the point. He had learned that quickly in the barbarian village he had stayed in for so long, that if you were not going full out, there was no point, as when the time came you would not be up to par when the fighting started. A brutal work out but still, it made more sense, and if it would keep Pandora safe, he would do anything. Today was no different, he was attacking the dummies with a renewed vigor, his broadsword cutting them down where they stood like they were nothing. A young soldier in training came to him, to ask for a few lessons and he obliged, being a little more careful as the young man was little more than a boy. Once the young man had had enough he gave Aleris a grateful yet pained smile and went to soak himself in some warm water. Grinning as he had barely broken a sweat Aleris returned to his chambers to clean up a littlle.

As he gazed out of his window, drying his hair with a cloth he smirked at the paddock where Destro was running with Pandora's horse Alionna. He had been trying to get the mare to accept his advances for awhile, but Destro just couldn't get her to take him. It made Aleris chuckle a little and he quickly changed into his riding pants and a billowy linen swordsman shirt and he was off to the stables. Whistling to Destro he grinned as the black frieseian stallion came running over to him, with Alionna not to far behind. " She still turning you down my friend?" he held and apple out to each horse watching as the juice dripped from their lips as they crunched. " You can not turn him down forever Alionna...Destro is a very persuasive boy." he ran his hand over the beautiful mares face and laughed as Destro put his head over Aleris' shoulder and nuzzled against his own face. " Alright Destro. You up for a run today my friend?" he placed his large hand over the horses muzzle, and held up the lead rope he had grabbed from the stables, clipping it to the horses halter. " Im afraid I can't take you too Alionna...Pandora been to see you lately?"

[PANDORA RUE VERYN]

Settling into the her new home was harder than Pandora had ever expected it to be. Things were still being brought over from the Imperial City and the castle was full of hustling servants doing what they could to put everything in the proper place. While the castle wasn't nearly as majestic and striking as her old home, Dora was enjoying her time there. A large amount of her wardrobe was still being brought over, leaving her to prance about in her nicest of dresses until the others could be brought to Ferdis. It wouldn't have been much of a problem but Dora was itching to ride and going out on Alionna in one of her best dresses was simply not an option.

Dora quickly slipped into the garb that she had requested a servant to bring her. The tan trousers and tunic were not at all what she was use to wearing but it was much more suitable than one of her dresses. She tugged some old riding boots on, lacing them up quickly while one of her handmaidens pulled her long white hair back into a long braid. "Thank you, Mira. You can go now." Dora dismissed the young woman with a smile before setting out of her bedroom and making her way out to the stables.

The sound of a familiar voice caused her to stop short of entering. It was obvious that Aleris had beat her to the stables, though she was quite happy about her timing. The sound of his voice caused a spurt of butterflies to flutter in her stomach though the well mannered princess took in a deep breath before making herself known. "Pandora is here now...to take her for a ride." She spoke up, poking her head around the entrance to spot Aleris. "Unless you'd rather me leave you to ride them both." She mused, stepping fully into the stables with the same grace she always had though lacking the silky gowns of the royals. "I think that would be a challenge for even you, Aleris." Her guard was more than skilled. In fact, she often thought to herself that he was more impressive than many of the stories she had read about. But seeing him attempt balance himself across two horses was an image that amused the young princess to no end.

OUTFIT: OUTFIT || NOTES: >:] FLIRTY HORSES FTW

[ALERIS THAIN ATWAN]

Startled from his thoughts of Pandora, he turned to see her come around the corner and just smiled. " Not your normal garb there mi lady. You look quite beautiful." he flushed, " Not that I should say something like that, but you do." he grabbed Alionna's saddle and bridle to tack up Pandora's horse for her first. Handing her the reins when he finished he chuckled, " I think Alionna would rather her mistress be the one to ride her, she does love you so" he watched as the golden mare nuzzled against Pandora, the love clear from mistress to mare and vice verse. " As much of a challenge as that would be, I would rather ride with you." not only for protection, he loved to ride with Pandora, she seemed one with her horse, much like a centaur in the old legends, than a woman on a horse. Most women he knew were either afraid of horses, rather walking or riding in a cart, then being on horseback. He had his fair share of lovers in the past, only one would ever ride Destro with him, and she was from the barbarian village. Things obviously could never work there, and he left soon after an argument resulted and she was given to another man. He was not a true member of their village so he had no right to try to be with on of their women, shortly after he was brought to the castle to be Pandora's personal bodyguard, and from then on no other woman would catch his eye for more than a fleeting glance or two. All it would take would be for Pandora to enter the room and any thoughts of another woman was gone. Pandora was his world, in more ways than one, yet he was too afraid to tell her. It was not proper, he was a sorceror yes, but he was not good enough for her. He was noble but not as much as she was. She was a princess for the sake of the gods, and he had no right to try to court her.

"As funny as that sounds it would be, I am not sure that my legs will stretch that far, and standing on the horses backs sounds like something the jester would do not the bodyguard." he chuckled and started tacking up Destro, smirking a little as the horse held his breath so that the cinch strap would not be tight. He leaned against teh horse, waiting for him to leg the breath out, then quickly tightened the strap. "Nice try my friend, but I do not feel like sliding to the ground today." pulling the reins to lead him out of the stables he smiled over at Pandora, " Where would you like to ride today milady, the forest? Maybe to the lake? The choice is yours. " He tied Destro to the gate and walked over to her side to help her saddle up. Helping her to put her foot in the stirrup then holding her back to help push her into the saddle he swallowed hard, his eyes taking in spots of her body that they souldn't that were very much more visible and accenuated due to the tight riding pants she wore. " Ahem..heres your reins princess." he held them out to her and then walked over to Destro, untying him and saddled up quickly. Adjusting his body to where he was comfortable. " Lead the way princess."

[PANDORA RUE VERYN]

Pandora gave Aleris a gentle smile as he complimented her appearance despite being so use to hearing them. Ever since she was a little girl, she was praised by her family and the people of her home and though the compliments had little effect on her now, it was different when Aleris made them. Of course, there were those moments where she almost worried that he only said things because it was his job but alas, it was not something for her to dwell on. "I'm flattered. My riding gowns have yet to arrive." she added watching Aleris as he proceeded to get Alionna ready for riding. Watching his movements had almost become a hobby for the young princess. She would never admit it but ever since she came into puberty, she realized just how fascinating he was. From the dark locks, the bulging muscles, the skill of the greatest warrior...it all came together to make Pandora sneak about just to catch a glimpse of him in training.

Her eyes wondered over his tall frame, taking in the familiar form that had been described multiple times in those secret little books that she wrote in nightly. Her cheeks flushed at the thought and she tore her eyes up to meet his face. "A ride through the forest sounds lovely," she replied, running her hand along Alionna's shimmering coat. The forests in the area were quite safe though she would never ride through them alone. She was a Princess and though she held more power than anyone could imagine, she would not put herself at risk. With Aleris at her side, nothing could harm her. At least that was how she saw things.

She fought back a smile as her bodyguard helped her up onto Alionna, doing her best not to make it too horribly obvious that she enjoyed his help a little more than she should have. Her delicate hands clasped the reins while her eyes lingered on Aleris as he climbed easily upon his dark horse. "As you wish," she cooed, urging Alionna out of the stables in a slow trot. It would not take long to reach the forest, despite the fact that Pandora wasn't entirely sure of the best route to take. "Did you train today?" she questioned curiously, wondering if she had missed out on spying on him in all his glory. Even if she had, there would be other times to tease her wondering mind. If not, she would retreat to put her thoughts onto paper and tuck them safely away in the secret little places she knew of.

OUTFIT: OUTFIT || NOTES: >:] NAUGHTY THOUGHTS ;]