"Wait, you know how to ride that thing?" Cyrus asked when Xia started to mount the horse, stepping back to give her and the horse some berth. Cyrus didn't know the first or last thing about riding, and was apprehensive about approaching. Then he saw Xia shift forwards to give the both of them space to try and sit up behind her, a thought which started to make Cyrus nervous, he stuttered, "Uhh, I-I'm not sure if..."

A loud shriek from behind Cyrus made him turn around to face a ghoul that was in mid-leap towards him. In panic, Cyrus pointed the splintered, broken end of the broom handle he'd been carrying at the Ghoul hoping to swat it away. The top of the broom handle made contact with the leaping monster's chest, and the force of impact made the broom handle slip from Cyrus's grasp, sliding through his hands until the end hit the ground. The bottom end of the wooden shaft became firmly wedged into the trodden earth beneath their feet. The Ghoul dropped to the ground, winded, coughing and sputtering from the impact of the pole right against its sternum, clutching its heavily bruised chest. Cyrus took advantage of the opening and swung his makeshift weapon as hard as he could into the monster's head, dazing it and giving Cyrus time to turn and run.

That scare was all the convincing Cyrus needed to get over his fear of riding, "Right then! Let's not wait any longer shall we?"

Cyrus sprinted right towards Xia and the horse. He awkwardly scrambled up just behind her, and without thinking wrapped his left arm tightly around her waist, using his right hand to hold his broom handle off to their side.